The menace of the Fulani herdsmen and the Nigerian police force

This paper examines the deterioration of the Nigerian security situation especially since the return to democracy in May 29th, 1999. The paper argues that the Nigeria’s security system has become dysfunctional and the Nigerian security agents, especially the police have not been able to come up with an efficient and enduring system that can curtail the activities of Fulani herdsmen, who carry out their deadly attacks without any fear of constituted authority. Hence, enforcement of laws in Nigeria has become a flop. The focus of the paper therefore, is to identify the underlying challenges faced by the Nigerian police in tackling the menace of Fulani herdsmen. The study adopted the documentary research design. The theoretical framework adopted was the Routine Activity Theory, while the method for data analysis was the Descriptive Analytical Method. The findings reveal that there are some levels of inadequacies and challenges in the Nigerian Police Force which hamper them from nipping the menace in the bud. It was recommended amongst other measures that the Nigerian Police should be overhauled in accordance with best practices in staffing, funding, weaponry, mobility, and capacity building/training.