Abstract
The menace of Fulani herders has dire implications for political and socio-economic development in Nigeria. This study argues that, unfortunately, the Nigerian State, which should be leading the search for solutions, is now totally distrusted by most of those involved in the conflicts. This study examined the politics of herders attacks and their socio-economic implications for the Nigerian State. The study adopted secondary data sources anchored on the structural functionalism theory. It found that the militant activities of herders are politically motivated by the actions and inactions of desperate political leaders for group interests. The study concluded that the solution to the farmers/headers conflict is not beyond the power of government and advised that collaboration among levels of government can help find solutions to the problem. Based on the observations, the study recommended that the government at all levels adopt appropriate crisis management approaches devoid of personal aggrandisement. It was also recommended that the government should pass through appropriate agencies to probe and block the sources of sophisticated weapons at the disposal of herders; the cattle business should not be treated as a national asset, and there should be legislation on cattle business to reflect its private nature; cattle farmers should adhere to routes provided them by the government.