INTER-GROUP HOSTILITIES AND THE THREAT TO THE RULE OF LAW: A CASE STUDY OF TOTO CONFLICT, 1995—2000

The geo-ecological of a place has implications (directly and or indirectly) for interacting gi'oups. The Bassa, Gbagyi, Egbura and Gade are the main ethnic gyoups who were attracted to this geographical zone (the present Toto Local Government Area). Like with any other groups, relations between these gi'oups have alternated from peaceful to hostile through the ages. However these hostilities have been kept at a manageable level, until 1995, when hostilities reached a violent level In this conflict both parties adopted maximum cruelty through the use of lethal weapons with attendant destruction of lives and property. This can be considered antithetical to the rule of law. This study wishes therefore to contribute significantly to our knowledge of destructive nature of ethnic militias in relation to inter-group interaction. It would also shed more light on how contending parties use illegitimate weaponry to cause mayhem and insecurity in the area. In this study, the circumstances surrounding the misgivings in the area would be unveiled and solutions would be proffer.