Iorfa Akpen
Civil society groups in Benue State have called for the immediate resettlement of more than 500,000 internally displaced persons before any discussion or implementation of ranching projects in the state.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the groups said it was troubling that plans for ranches were gaining prominence while many communities remain displaced since 2017, according to International Organization for Migration figures.
“For years, over 500,000 Benue citizens have been violently displaced from their ancestral homes and have been living in IDP camps,” the groups said. “The immediate priority of government should be to restore peace and security, rebuild destroyed communities, and ensure the safe, dignified and sustainable resettlement of displaced Benue people.”
The coalition argued that land is central to livelihood and identity in Benue and warned against any ranching policy imposed without consultation. They said any decision must be people-centered, transparent and fully compliant with the 1999 Constitution, the Land Use Act of 1978, and Benue State laws.
They specifically referenced the Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, saying it remains the applicable legal framework until lawfully amended or replaced. “There must be no attempt to circumvent, undermine or override the laws of Benue State through political pressure, executive pronouncements or externally designed programmes,” they stated.
The groups stressed that security comes first. Since 2017, they noted, Benue communities have suffered repeated attacks that led to loss of lives, destruction of farms and homes, and the collapse of livelihoods.
To address the concerns, the CSOs listed seven demands:
1. Security first: An immediate and sustained commitment to secure all Benue communities and end attacks, killings and destruction of property.
2. IDP resettlement: Safe, dignified and sustainable return of all displaced persons with support to rebuild homes and livelihoods.
3. Rule of law: Full compliance with the Constitution, Land Use Act, and Benue State laws in any ranching proposal.
4. Respect existing law: No individual, organization or government should act outside due process in establishing ranches.
5. Genuine consultation: Broad engagement with affected communities, landowners, traditional institutions, farmers, women, youth, LGAs and other stakeholders before any decision.
6. State government leadership: Full involvement of the Benue State Government in all decisions affecting land and ranching.
7. Protection of rights: A clear guarantee that no land will be taken or designated for ranching without lawful authority, due process and respect for affected communities.
“Consultation must not be a mere formality conducted after decisions have already been taken,” the groups said. “No community should wake up to discover that decisions affecting its land, livelihood and future have been taken elsewhere.”
They concluded that the protection of lives and the safe return of displaced people must take precedence over the ranching agenda.
“Above all, we oppose any situation in which the discussion of ranching receives greater urgency than the protection of lives and safe return of the people who have been violently displaced from their homes and communities,” the statement added.
