American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR) 2022 AJHSSR Journal Page | 74 American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR) e-ISSN : 2378-703X Volume-6, Issue-01, pp-74-85 www.ajhssr.com Research Paper Open Access TOWARDS EXPLORING INDIGENES/SETTLERS CRISIS IN SOUTHERN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA Ekanem, Ekanem Asukwo (Ph.D), Celestine Okafor Department of Political Science Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria Department of Political Science Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria ABSTRACT: This paper on, “Towards Exploring Indigenes/Settlers Crisis in Southern Taraba State, Nigeria” aimed at analyzing the factors that trigger divides among people in Southern Taraba State, Nigeria. The study relied on secondary sources of data collection (books, journal articles, monographs, internet materials among others) which was analyzed qualitatively. It also used Marxist conflict theory, as its framework of analysis. Again, findings reveal that economic, religious and political factors trigger the indigenes/settlers crisis in Southern Taraba State. The crisis has impacted negatively on lives, property as well as social co-existence among the people. Government has made use of both hard and soft measures in addressing the indigenes/settlers crisis in the Southern Taraba State. Regrettably, none of the measures has been able to abate the indigenes/settlers crisis in Southern Taraba State. The paper, therefore, suggests the replacement of certificates of origin with certificate of citizenship, strengthening of Nigeria Police Force, as well as employment opportunities for the teaming youths as panacea for the indigenes/settlers crisis in Southern Taraba State, Nigeria. Keywords: Indigenes, settlers, crisis, economy, politics, religion, Southern Taraba, Nigeria security. I. INTRODUCTION Taraba State is one of the 36 states that constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state was created out of the defunct Gongola State by General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) on 27 th August 1991. In terms of its geographical location, Taraba State is bounded on the west by Plateau and Benue States, on the east by Adamawa State and Republic of Cameroun, on the north by Bauchi and Gombe States. The state is nicknamed “nature gift” due to abundant natural resources that are abound in it. According to Nigeria Conflict Security Analysis Network (NCSAN) (2015): The agrarian nature and rich alluvial soil found in most parts of the state makes Taraba conducive for cultivating all types of food and cash crops; such as cassava, yams, potatoes, cocoyam, rice, maize, coffee, tea and cocoa. The state has vast lush grassland that supports cattle grazing, while the various rivers/lakes hold great potential for development of fisheries (p.10). Due to its natural endowment, especially the central and southern part of the state, it becomes an attractive zone to the migrating herdsmen and pastoralists. It also serves as an economic gateway to southern Nigeria from the northeast, in the area of transportation of cattle and other products to the south. Thus, being a fertile land and a gateway, Taraba State, (especially Southern Taraba) is now a hotspot for ethno-religious crisis among various groups of people living in it. Nwanegbo, Odigbo and Ochanja (2014) hinted that: The crisis led to massive human and material destruction. Till date, the numbers of casualties have not been ascertained; especially when evidences on ground surpass the number of people reported to have been killed. The crisis dislocated many families, shut down businesses and property worth millions were destroyed. And even more disturbing fact, is that residency in Wukari town is now patterned along religious divide. While the Christian/traditionalist Jukuns occupy the part of the town (regarded as the main Jukun land), the Jukun Muslim/Hausa settlers occupy the other parts (regarded as settlers’ quarters) (p.9). Furthermore, Taraba State has 16 local government areas. The 2006 National Population Census maintained that the state has 2,300,736 (two million, three hundred thousand, seven hundred and thirty six) people. Even though, religion was not part of the census count, Taraba State has about 55% Christians, 32% Muslims 12% African Traditional Religion adherents as well as 1% self acclaimed free thinkers (Nigerian Conflict Security Analysts Network, 2015). Though, this analysis is highly arguably, the fact remains that Christians are found in Northern, Central and Southern Taraba. Even though, Muslims are also found in the