Deep Dive Into Livestock Rustling: An Illicit Revenue Stream Fueling Under-Development, AnimalAbuse and Terrorism in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin

Abstract

This research paper explores the pervasive issue of livestock rustling in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, highlighting its profound implications for underdevelopment, animal welfare, and terrorism. It investigates the historical context and evolving nature of cattle rustling, transitioning from traditional practices to modern organised crime fuelled by economic desperation, climate change, and political instability. The proliferation of criminal armed gangs, herder-farmer conflicts, and the Boko Haram insurgency all contribute to the resurgence, creating a volatile security landscape. Traditional perceptions of cattle rustling among Fulani herders as a display of bravery are juxtaposed against the violent realities of modern rustling, driven by criminal elements using diabolical means. The analysis reveals how the Boko Haram insurgency has exacerbated the issue, with the group leveraging cattle rustling as a means of funding and control in the region. Through empirical data, the paper reveals the complicated relationship between cattle rustling and illicit financial flows, underscoring the economic ramifications of this crime. This significantly contributes to regional insecurity and hampers efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper identifies key actors in the livestock rustling network, including cattle rustlers, intermediaries, and buyers, and delineates the socio-political complexities surrounding the issue. These include the involvement of foreign Fulani migrants and the implications of weak law enforcement. The findings illustrate the systemic violence associated with rustling, including the abuse of livestock and the socio-economic devastation faced by affected communities. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy reforms and collaborative security measures.