THE GUARANTEE OF THE RIGHT OF EVERY CITIZEN TO LIVE AND WORK IN ANY PART OF NIGERIA

The right to freedom of movement and residence is a twin right granted to Nigeria citizens in the Constitution. We are examining this right with Fulani herdsmen as the focus. Fulani herdsmen have recently become a terror group in Nigeria. The hitherto frequent minor clashes between herders and farmers have become escalated and universal in Nigeria. What was limited to the North central has been spread to every State in Nigeria. While Nigerians in the Southern part are complaining about the phenomenon and its implications on food security in Nigeria, the Fulani herdsmen and their umbrella organization Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are making provocative statements that they own Nigerian land and that nobody can stop them from grazing their cattle on any land throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria. It is in the light of their assertion that this paper is put together in order to confirm or debunk their assertion that they have an unrestricted or unrestrictable right to graze anywhere in Nigeria. This paper is concluded by stating contrary to their assertion, that the Fulani herdsman and indeed any Nigerian does not have the absolute right to movement or residence in Nigeria. The right to freedom of movement and residence in Nigeria is restricted by the Constitution, Common Law, and other Statues in Nigeria.