By Peter Duru, Makurdi
MAKURDI — The three major socio-cultural organisations in Benue State have rejected the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching scheme in the state, insisting that the safe return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons must come before any allocation of land for ranches.
The organisations — Mzough U Tiv (MUT), Ochetoha k’Idoma (OKI) and Omi Ny’Igede (ONI) — said they were not opposed to modern ranching but insisted that the policy must be voluntary, community-driven and implemented without compromising the welfare of displaced farmers or food production.
President-General of MUT Worldwide and Chairman of the Benue Socio-Cultural Organisations, Air Commodore Titus Agbecha (retd.), stated this at a press conference attended by the President-General of Ochetoha k’Idoma, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, and President-General of Omi Ny’Igede, Daniel Omeno.
Agbecha said the organisations received the Federal Government’s ranching proposal with “mixed feelings”, noting that ranching could help reduce conflicts between farmers and herders and improve food security if properly implemented.
He, however, argued that Benue’s security and humanitarian situation made it inappropriate to embark on large-scale land allocation for ranches before displaced communities were returned to their ancestral homes.
Agbecha said, “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.”
He described it as unjust to discuss new land use for ranching when, according to him, “the owners of the land are still refugees in their own state.”
The retired Air Commodore also alleged that several communities in the state had remained affected by insecurity for more than five years, resulting in attacks, deaths and displacement.
He warned that establishing ranches under such circumstances could be perceived as rewarding violence and dispossession.
He called for comprehensive mediation, restoration of affected communities and justice for victims before the ranching scheme is introduced.
The socio-cultural organisations also cautioned that large-scale land acquisition could threaten food production in Benue, which is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s major 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 urged the Federal Government to make the safe return and resettlement of IDPs a priority, stressing that “peace must precede policy.”
They also called for genuine consultation, consent and appropriate compensation for host communities before any ranching project is undertaken.
“We are not against modern ranching, but it must be voluntary, community-driven and must not displace food production,” Agbecha said.
He appealed to Benue residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that the socio-cultural organisations would continue to engage relevant authorities through dialogue.
“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.
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