Ethnic Conflict and its Impact on the Socio-economic Development of Nigeria: A Study of Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom crises in Gombe State.

Abstract

This research examined the long-run communal disputes between the people of Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom in Gombe State. The crisis between Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom had been recurring every time for more than 3 decades now. The long dispute was attributed by many writers and oral tradition to land, with lingering legal battle of ownership between the People of Tangale in Billiri Local Council and Kulishin People in Shongom Local Council of KaltungoChiefdom.This Research work presents a sociological analysis of the ethnic conflict that engulfed these communities of Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom. The research critically examines and analyzes relevant facts concerning the Historical background of the areas, their socio-economic activities and their socio-political affiliations. It is against this background; that this research attempted the impacts of ethnic conflict on the socio-economic development of Nigeria with particular reference to Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom communities for the year 2017. Accordingly, the objectives of this study among other thigs are; to explore the nature of Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom ethnic conflict; to investigate the predisposing factors of Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom ethnic conflict; to examine the impacts of Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom ethnic conflict; and to find out the role of government and traditional leaders in preventing and controlling the conflict. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to generate data for the study. The quantitative data was obtained via administration of questionnaire. A total number of 384 questionnaires were distributed from which 365 were recovered and analyzed using SPSS. The qualitative data on the other hand was collected through the use of In-depth Interview (IDI). Consequently, the result showed that; the immediate cause of the crises was the long standing issue of boundary and land disputes between these communities. Socially, the conflicts succeed in limiting social interaction and harmony between the people of Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom communities. The crisis has its root from history and the crises have resulted in the sharp increase in the number of widows and orphans leading to prostitution, poverty, begging, unemployment etc. The crises have also resulted in retardation of the socio-economic development of the area both socially, politically, culturally and economically. Similarly, the triangulation of broken window, Marxist and Social learning theories were adopted and used in the study.The study ends up with a number of recommendations which includes; Members of communities in conflict such as Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom should create a forum that will promote tolerance in their locality, state and Nigeria as a whole; Traditional leaders, the elderly, retired soldiers etc, should to a large extent stop feeding their people with wrong historical information that divides us rather they should encourage unity and tolerance among their people; Government should embark on mass employment of youths so that they will no longer be ready tools in the hands of desperate politicians who are ethnic and/or religious zealots. Where this is not done, the few well to do in the society should give out soft loans to support entrepreneurship in the area among others.

Bako Ambrose Tal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page----------i

Declaration----------ii

Certification----------iii

Approval page--------iv

Dedication---------v

Acknowledgement--------vi-viii

Table of contents--------ix-xii

Abstract--------xiii

CHAPTER ONE

Background of the Study

S/No.TitlePage Nos.

1.1Introduction-------1-2

1.2Statement of the Research Problem------2-3

1.3Aim and Objectives of the Research -----4

1.4 Research Questions-------4

1.5Significance of the Study------4-5

1.6Scope and Limitations of the Study -----5-6

1.7Operationalization of Key Concepts-----6-8

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

2.1Introduction--------9

2.2Literature Review (The Concept “Conflict”)----9-15

2.2.1 Ethnic Conflict------16-18

2.2.2. Nature of Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom Communal Crises--19-20

22.2.3. Predisposing Factors of Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom Communal Crises-20-28

2.2.4. The Impacts of the Billiri/Kaltungo/Shongom Communal Crises-28-31

2.2.5The Roles of Government and Traditional Leaders in Prevention and 

Management and Control Communal Conflicts---31-38

2.3Theoretical Framework------39

2.3.1 Broken Window Theory------39-40

2.3.2 Social Learning Theory------40-42

2.3.3 Marxist Theory (Structural Conflict Theory)----42-44

CHAPTER THREE

Research Method

3.1Introduction --------45

3.2A Brief History of Gombe, Billiri and Kaltungo---45

3.2.1 A Brief History of Billiri People-----45-48

3.2.2 Brief History of Kaltungo-----48-49

3.2.3 Brief History of Shongom-----50

3.3 Research Design-------50-51

3.4 Population of the Study------51

3.5 Sample Size--------51-53

3.6 Sampling Methods/Techniques-----53-54

3.7 Techniques of Data Collection-----55-58

3.8 Techniques of Data Analysis------58

3.9Problems Encountered-----58-59

CHAPTER FOUR

Data Presentations and Analysis

4.1Introduction-------60

4.2-4.8Data Presentation-------           60-76

4.9Discussion of Major Findings -----76-77

4.10Contributions to General Knowledge- ----77-79

4.11     Area for further Research      --79

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations

5.1Introduction--------80

5.2Summary--------80-81

5.3Conclusion--------81-83

5.4Recommendations-------83-85

References--------86-91

Appendix I-IV--------92-100