ANALYZING ETHNORELIGIOUS CONFLICT DYNAMICS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN WUKARI AND IBI, NIGERIA

Abstract

Conflict remains a pervasive challenge in societies worldwide, with Nigeria experiencing recurrent violent clashes since the return to democracy in 1999. Taraba State, created in 1991, has been notably affected by ethnoreligious conflicts, especially in the Southern region encompassing Wukari and Ibi Local Government Areas. These conflicts, rooted in ethnic and religious differences, have had devastating consequences on the general population, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence. This study investigates the specific impacts of ethnoreligious conflict on women and children in these areas. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the research highlights the severe physical, emotional, and socio-economic toll on these vulnerable groups. Beyond the loss of family members and destruction of property, the conflicts have disrupted social cohesion, trust, and access to essential services. The proliferation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), predominantly women and children, underscores the scale of human suffering and displacement caused by the clashes. The paper concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable peacebuilding initiatives and policy interventions aimed at protecting women and children, restoring social harmony, and preventing future conflicts in Taraba State and Nigeria at large