SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF BOUNDARY DISPUTES IN IKWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE: A CASE STUDY OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN INYIMAGU AND IGBUDU COMMUNITIES FROM 1935-1996

Abstract

Boundary dispute is one of the social issues that have persisted at both individual and group relationship despite its negative attendant consequences. This study was carried out to examine the socio-economic effects of boundary disputes in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The study was anchored on Group theory analysis. The scope of the study was limited to the conflict between Inyimegu and Igbudu communities from 1935-1996. This study adopted survey approach as the research design. Population of the study is three thousand five hundred (3500) adult males between of the age of sixty five years and above. A sample size of one hundred and fifty was randomly drawn from the population through appropriate sampling technique. Four research question and two hypotheses stated in null and alternate form guided the study. While data collected were analyzed using simple percentages. Hypotheses tested shows that the conflict has significant influence in the socio-economic life of the people of Inyimegu and Igbudu. Among the findings made was that conflict has serious socio-economic effects on Inyimegu and Igbudu communities. Recommendations were made which include that government should proactively address the identified factors for communal crisis between Inyimegu and Igbudu Communities without playing unnecessary politics’ with it.