IMPACTS OF BOUNDARY DISPUTES ON PEACE AND SECURITY

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Historically, boundaries are a vital aspect of the society, as man settle, own property, cultivate land and exercise power to protect this territory. Land possession has been regarded as property and socio-economic symbol. It is the origin of inequality among men and he exercise exclusive dominion that reinforces his ego and comforts his sense of security. Thus no one can trespass on his domain without a challenge. Boundary problems occur due to a number of factors in Nigeria. Some of the factors are colonial related, geographical, socio-political, economic and government factors (Agabi, 2016).

Nigeria administrative borders were created by the British colonial administration without much regard to history and culture of ethnic nationalities or groups. Thus, regions had their boundary delineated artificially with several multiple sub-ethnic cultures, languages or loyalties yearning to be free from the domination of the larger groups. Consequently, constant border changes occurred, which was done without consultation with the affected and interested groups. The inability to resolve this, accounts for the conflicts and instabilities existing among settlements, state, or local government especially after state or Local government creation. This has its consequences and impacts on national security. Geographically, boundaries within Nigeria are contained in the 1936 boundary description while the international boundaries are found in the Definition of the Countries Proclamation of 1954 where parameters such as river courses and distances, existing farm boundary and meridian turning points were used. The colonial administrators were not very accurate, and most boundary descriptions were sometimes ambiguous and difficult to interpret thus fueling boundary disputes. Border disputes have great impact on the national security. They arise from socio-cultural and political reasons as border villagers’ protest when they are merged with states that they do not share socio-cultural background with. The implication of these is that the country suffered many security deficiencies as a result of the numerous unresolved conflicts occasioned by boundary disputes. In order to minimize this, the Nigerian government establish Boundary disputes is the delineation delimitation on paper of the territorial limits of a state, country as a sovereign state and its political division and administrative framework under a constitution. 

Karl and Porter, (2016) described boundary disputes defining the boundary of something in the field (e.g., a patch or population of some species). The main advantage of boundary disputes that it provides direct information on the spatial distribution and related changes of the patch over time (Karl and Porter, 2016; Pokorney et al, 2016). The likely consequences of boundary uncertainty, errors and omissions and distortion include disputes, conflicts and anarchy which are serious brewers of defense and security breakdown if not effectively and sustainably managed. For instance, in 1954, Nigeria was divided into three regions (The Northern, Western and Eastern Regions) by legal notice No. 126 of 1954 and the description of the boundaries of all the three regions was gazetted (Cukwurah, 2016) but no physical beacon with spatial coordinates were put on the ground to define the extent of each region. Before the advent of GPS technology, boundaries were usually estimated on a topographic map or aerial photograph. A common approach now is to use a GPS to record the vertices of a polygon defining the patch/population. In some cases, patches can be defined from aerial photographs (Karl, 2021). This study therefore aims at assessing impacts of boundary disputes on peace and security of Toungo Local Government Area.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is observed that there are conflicts emanating from families on the issues of trespass and lack of proper demarcation of farmlands and plots which is making kins and relatives to go into disputes that result to loss of lives and properties. The researcher observes that, most of the cases are as a result of false witnesses presenting during the land allocations and or selfishness from either of the disputing sides. Practice and experience have shown that geo-database development for geo-spatial analyses consumes about 80% to 90% of the time and resources available for the implementation of any geospatial dispute and information system project. In view of the foregoing, it is important to initiate and identify the right dimensions of data field and records required for effective boundary dispute and management in a country like Nigeria. 

The issues of boundary disputes are numerous in recent times which disrupt peaceful co-existence and threaten peace and security of our people. This study therefore aims at assessing impacts of boundary disputes on the peace and security of Toungo Local Government Area.

 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 

The aim of this study is to assess impacts of boundary dispute on peace and security of Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State. 

The specific objectives include;

To identify the causes of boundary dispute in Toungo Local Government Area. 

To examine the effects of boundary dispute on the peace and security of Toungo Local Government Area. 

To suggest measures to addressing the problems of boundary dispute in Toungo Local Government Area.  

1.4 Research Questions 

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study;

What are the cases of boundary dispute in Toungo Local Government Area?

Does boundary dispute have impact on peace and security?

What are the measures to curtail boundary dispute in Toungo?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study is important because it assesses and estimates boundary dispute on National security. The study also endeavors to establish the underlying causes of boundary dispute in Toungo Local Government Area. 

More importantly, it is envisaged that the outputs of the study will be key inputs in the designing of sustainable mitigation measures to minimize the impact of boundary and the associated risks. 

The study explores the impact of boundary dispute on peace and security of the people in Toungo community in Adamawa State. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough understanding of the impact of boundary dispute on National security and underlying causes of the boundary disputes. The contribution of the research should compel other stakeholders to undertake further research in issues that may arise in this study and need further inquiry.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the study

The scope of this research work is the causes, impacts and solutions to boundary disputes on National security. The study is delimited to some communities in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

1.7 Study Area

1.7.1 Climate Change 

Toungo Local Government Area has a tropical Climate characterized by Dry and wet season. The rainfall is season that is from April to September the length of raining season and the monthly rainfall is 189mm. The wettest months are August and September the average of rainfall for the State is 759mm in the Northern parts and 1.05 mm in the Southern parts. 

1.7.2 Population 

The total population of study area as a regard to the 2016 is Male 100295. Female 94365, Total population is 194,660.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Boundary: is a border and it can be physical, such as a fence between two properties, or abstract, such as a moral boundary that society decides it is wrong to cross.

Dispute: is an argument or disagreement between people or groups. Negotiators failed to resolve the bitter dispute between the Nigerians Community and the states.

Security: is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm caused by others. Beneficiaries of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change.