Pages: (119-132 )
Abstract
This paper explores the role of community policing in addressing the growing threat of pastoral terrorism in Nigeria. It highlights how conflicts over land between Fulani herders and farmers intensified during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Drawing on primary and secondary data, the study analyzes various narratives surrounding pastoral terrorism and its impact on the safety of lives and property across Nigeria. The findings reveal that pastoral terrorists, primarily Fulani herders, use unconventional tactics to destroy local communities. In seeking solutions to the farmer-herder conflicts and their severe consequences, the study evaluates the effectiveness of community policing. It establishes that community policing, involving residents, enhances protection against killings, injuries, and abductions. This model fosters community engagement in security efforts, enabling better intelligence gathering for reporting to local police units and specialized anti-robbery squads established by the Nigerian Police Force. Despite challenges such as legitimacy and training deficits, the study concludes that community policing is a practical and effective approach to combating the nomadic terrorism affecting various regions of Nigeria.
Keywords: Community, Policing, Fulani herders, Farmers, Community Policing, Pastoral Terrorism,