ASSESSMENT OF PASTORALISTS’ RESPONSE AND RESILIENCE TO CATTLE RUSTLING IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE

Abstract

Cattle rustling is identified as a major security concern undermining animal production in Zamfara State. Emerging studies depict a more disturbing situation of rural banditry associated with cattle rustling that affect human security and livelihood. This study assessed the pastoralists’ response and adaptive mechanism to cattle rustling in selected communities in Gusau, Zamfara State. The study was conducted in five major settlements namely Damba, Kuraje, Sabon Gida, Kwana and Gidan Marake, Bulunku and Mareri. Two settlements (Kuraji and Bulunku) were purposely selected for data collection, due to the high prevalence of cattle rustling in these settlements. Qualitative approach to data collection and results synthesis was adopted for the research. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were the instrument used for data collection. The study find reveals that pastoralists in the selected communities were forced to device ways/adoptive mechanism to cattle rustling which includes; transfer of the cattle to a new location in the early hours of the night, information sharing on the movement of the rustlers, negotiations with rustlers’ kingpins, migrations and reduction of livestock holdings among other measures. Conclusively, the pastoralists receive little or no attention from the government as they are left to fend for themselves against rustlers.