Implication of Indegenes-Settlers Communual Conflicts in Nigeria: A Case of Effium (Indigenes) and Ezza Effium (Settlers) Communual Crisis in Ohaukwu L. G. A Ebonyi State.

Abstract

   People with peculiar characteristics and same social living naturally occupy a given geographical area and practice common culture and language. These categories of people are referred to as indigenes, while settlers include people who migrated from their own place of origin to another area, specially for economic pursuits. Indigenes enjoy packages of privileges and rights which ordinarily are not extended to settles. Non – indigenes (settlers) in most cases were subjected to the policy frameworks of the community of residence. Settlers for obvious reasons and background were meant to abide by the common rules and observances of the indigenes. By default or design contradictions are bound to erupt between incompatible group of indigenes and settlers. The reality of social existence is that the indigenes settlers co-habitation breed scores of incompatible relationship which in most cases result to social rftes and open conflicts. In Nigeria particularly, Ebonyi state, recurring cases of indigenes-settlers crises leaves much to be desired which calls for much concern by individual communities, government, civil society organizations, religious bodies and research to mitigate in the incessant crises among indigenes and settlers across communities in Nigeria. In the light of foregoing, this paper is poised to examine the trend of rising cases of indigenes-settler communal crises in Nigeria with special focus on Effium(indigenes) and Ezza Effium (settlers) communal crises in Ohaukwu L.G.A of Ebonyi state. The paper reviews related literature on the subjects matter and adopt relational theory as framework of analysis. The paper equally highlights on the consequences of indigenes-settlers crises and recommend articulate measures to reduce future occurrence of such conflicts for sustainable peace and tranquil society.