Bawa Tijani Ahmed

Ozekhome G. Igechi

Abstract

This paper examined the effects of insecurity on food security in Benue State, Nigeria and its implications for Policy Reinforcement, focusing on how violent conflicts disrupt agricultural production, market stability, and household nutrition. Using a qualitative method based on secondary data, the study reviews academic journals, government publication, policy brief and media reports to analyse eight core food security variables such as availability, physical access, economic access, stability, utilisation, nutrition, resilience, and displacement. Findings reveal that persistent farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and communal violence have led to significant decline in crop and livestock output, unsafe transport routes, higher food prices, and unstable food supplies. Displacement of farming populations has caused dietary deficiencies and eroded resilience, leaving many households dependent on aid. Although government interventions, such as security deployments, agricultural input schemes, and mediation forums, have provided partial relief, they remain inadequate to fully address the crisis. The study concludes that achieving food security in Benue requires integrated policy actions that can combine enhanced rural security with agricultural recovery, improved market access, targeted nutrition programmes, and resilience-building strategies. These findings have implications for designing policies that address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term stability of Nigeria’s “food basket” state. The study recommends that government should strengthen security, support displaced farmers and secure transport routes.

   

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Published: 2026

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