Ethnic Conflicts and National Security (A Study of Nasarawa South Senatorial District)
1Ojo, S. Stephen PhD & 2Idris, Ramatu
1Department of Social Development Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, Nigeria
2Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja
Email: steve234_1@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, there have been incessant cases of ethnic conflicts in recent time. It has become a recurrent decimal in the quest for national integration and unity. Ethnic conflicts have constituted serious security challenge in the country. There is no part of the country that is spared from its ugly deficiencies. This study set out to identify various causes of ethnic conflicts and how it threatens national security using Nasarawa South Senatorial District as a case study. The study employed the use of survey design to obtain the relevant information. 250 respondents were systematically selected from the study area and questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting data. The findings revealed that there has been a frequent occurrence of ethnic conflicts in the area which have adversely affected its development. The study concludes that ethnic conflicts have resulted into enmity and hatred between the people who have lived together in peace for years in the area. The resultant consequences of the above were the gross loss of lives and destruction of millions of Naira worth of properties which had adversely affected the activities in the area. It therefore recommends among others that efforts should be geared towards peaceful co-existence in the area by all stakeholders if sustainable development is to be achieved and national security guaranteed.
Keywords: ethnic, conflicts, national security
