Herders/farmers conflict theft and livelihood/social capital in Enugu State, Nigeria

The occasionally reported conflicts between Fulani herders and farmers in Nigeria, has been around for some time now. Conflict among the farming community, both the crop farmers and the cattle farmers had affected the economy. This had led to the study herders/farmers conflict and livelihood in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives was to; assess the relationship between theft and social capital in Enugu State. The population for the study was one two hundred and ninety-nine (299) persons. The whole population was used due to small number. A survey design was adopted for the study. Instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire and interviews. A total of two hundred and ninety-nine (299) copies of questionnaire were distributed while two hundred and eighteen (218) copies of questionnaire were returned. Pearson correlation(r) was used to test the hypotheses. The findings indicated there was significant relationship between theft and social capital (r=.472<.669, p<.05). The study concluded that growing land pressure, dispossession, and conflict of interest, armed extremist groups and theft had a significant relationship between human capital, financial capital, mistrust on Natural capital, physical capital and social capital. The study recommended among others that Government should formulate a policy that will stimulate peace among crop farmers and pastoralist to sustain food security and reduce poverty among rural dwellers, thereby transforming the rural environment into an attractive centre.