Perceived Source Credibility and Public Perception of Information on Herdsmen /Farmers Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing conflict between farmers and herds in some parts of Nigeria has also reflected in media reports. This study investigated perceived source credibility and public perception of information on herdsmen farmers conflict in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised to guide the study. A total of 384 respondents from Enugu State, South-East Nigeria took part in the study. The respondents were selected through a multistage sampling technique. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Simple percentage and chi-square test of independence were used in the analysis of data for the study. The result showed that most of the respondents studied reported that their source of information on the conflict is the Internet. It was also found that most of the respondents perceived the conflict as attacks against certain parts of the country and not a clash between farmers and herdsmen. The result finally showed t a significant relationship between perceived source credibility and perception about the herdsmen famers conflict. Based on the result of this study, the researcher recommends, among others, that further studies should also examine be expanded to compare both the Southern and Northern Nigeria to give room for comparison.