Benue governor rejects federal government’s ranching plan, says state’s land not for herders

The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has rejected any plan to cede land in the state to pastoralists for ranching without the consent of his administration and the people.

Mr Alia stated this on Tuesday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders from the Sankera bloc, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo local government areas.

The governor’s position comes amid renewed debate over the federal government’s National Ranching Policy, under which Benue was selected as one of the pilot states for the establishment of livestock facilities.

“Nobody will force us to cede even an inch of our land to the pastoralist for any purpose. If that must happen, I can assure you, it will not be this time that I am still the governor of Benue State,” Mr Alia said.

Security measures

Mr Alia also announced the deployment of three military operational units to strategic locations in Sankera to strengthen security and respond to attacks in the area.

He said the units would be stationed in Agu, Katsina-Ala; Anyiin, Logo; and Azendeshi, Ukum.

The governor further announced plans to provide 30 motorcycles to security agencies to improve patrols and rapid response in the area.

The Sankera axis has experienced attacks, killings, kidnappings, and displacement, with communities in Ukum and neighbouring local government areas facing renewed security threats in recent months.

The governor said his administration remained committed to protecting residents and securing communities across the state.

Benue groups reject ranching plan

Mr Alia’s position is consistent with opposition to the Federal Government’s ranching proposal by major sociocultural organisations in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported on 14 August that Mzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede, representing the Tiv, Idoma and Igede peoples respectively, rejected the inclusion of Benue in the pilot National Ranching Programme.

The groups said the Federal Government should not establish pastoral settlements on Benue land without the consent of the state and affected communities.

They argued that the state was still grappling with insecurity and the displacement of farming communities and that priority should be given to securing affected areas and returning displaced residents to their ancestral homes.

The three organisations also said any livestock development programme in Benue should comply with the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

The organisations said they supported commercially viable ranching but rejected what they described as the imposition of permanent pastoral settlements through the Federal Government’s programme.

Their position followed the announcement by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on 11 August that Benue was among six locations selected for the pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy.

The other locations are Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory.

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The controversy has also emerged against the background of renewed attacks in Benue.

On 16 August, gunmen attacked communities in Mbazun Ward of Ukum Local Government Area, with reports of deaths and injuries emerging from Mbaterem, Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen communities.

The attacks came shortly after a mass burial in parts of the state following earlier killings, further intensifying concerns over the security of farming communities.

Beyond security, Mr Alia said his administration was pursuing infrastructure projects in the state.

He announced plans for a new dam with a projected capacity of 460 megawatts, saying the project would provide water and support electricity generation.

The governor is currently on a statewide tour of APC stakeholders following his emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The town hall meetings are being held across the state’s 11 federal constituencies.