Return our IDPs home before allocating land for ranching – Benue leaders tell FG

The three major socio-cultural organisations in Benue State have opposed the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching programme in the state, arguing that displaced residents must first be safely returned to their ancestral communities before land is considered for ranch development.

The position was made known by the Presidents-General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT), Ochetoha k’Idoma (OKI) and Omi Ny’Igede (ONI) at a press conference attended by the three leaders.

President General of MUT Worldwide and Chairman of the Benue Socio-Cultural Organisations, Air Commodore Titus Agbecha (retd.), said the groups received the proposed ranching initiative with “mixed feelings.”

While acknowledging that modern ranching could help curb clashes between farmers and herders and strengthen food security, Agbecha stressed that the programme should not be forced on communities or introduced at the expense of displaced farmers.

He said Benue’s security and humanitarian challenges made it unsuitable to commence large-scale land allocation for ranches while thousands of residents remained unable to return home.

According to him, “We currently have over 500,000 Benue people living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across Benue State. They have no home to return to, no shelter, no farms and no livelihood.”

Agbecha said it would be unfair to begin discussing alternative uses of land when “the owners of the land are still refugees in their own state.”

He further alleged that some communities across the state had been under siege for years, resulting in deaths, destruction of villages and the displacement of residents.

“Establishing ranches in this atmosphere will be seen as rewarding violence and dispossession,” he warned.

The retired Air Commodore called for comprehensive dialogue, the restoration of occupied communities and justice for victims before the Federal Government proceeds with the ranching initiative.

The organisations also raised concerns that extensive land acquisition for ranches could negatively affect agricultural production in Benue, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s key food-producing states.

“Benue remains the food basket of the nation. Any programme that involves large-scale land acquisition must not undermine food production,” Agbecha said.

The groups therefore appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise the safe return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, stressing that “peace must precede policy.”

They also called for meaningful consultations with host communities, their consent and appropriate compensation before any ranching project is implemented.

“We are not against modern ranching, but it must be voluntary, community-driven and must not displace food production,” Agbecha said.

He urged residents of the state to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the socio-cultural organisations would continue discussions with relevant authorities in search of a lasting solution.

“Benue is the food basket of the nation. For Nigeria to be food secure, Benue farmers must first be secure on their land,” he added.