The Impact of Migration on Internal Security: The Case of Itinerant Fulani Herdsmen In Ekiti State, South West Nigeria

Abstract

This paper interrogates the nexus between internal migration on the one hand, and ethnicity and internal security on the other. Relying on both primary and secondary sources of data, it seeks evidence for the relationships between internal migration and security in Nigeria by examining the various security implications of uncontrolled Fulani herdsman ship of cattle in SouthWest Nigeria, using Ekiti State as case study. The paper emphasizes the roles that public policy, community leadership and institutional action can play in streamlining relations between migrant groups and host communities in situations where government has not been directly involved in moderating relations between such groups of people. The paper then assesses the implications of this development for national unity, security and development. Finally, the paper makes recommendations for resolving the issues thrown up in the analysis.