Catholic priests reject federal govt ranching policy in Benue

The Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), representing the Makurdi Diocese, has vehemently opposed the Federal Government's proposal to introduce ranching in Benue State. In a statement released by its Chairman, Revd. Fr. Joseph Terfa Beba, the association expressed deep concern over what it deemed an unacceptable decision that could jeopardize the ancestral lands and security of the Benue people.

The NCDPA argued that Benue, a state plagued by insecurity, violence, and displacement, should not be subjected to policies that may lead to land grabbing, forced occupation, or permanent displacement of local communities. According to the priests, any attempt to introduce ranching in the state must be carried out through transparent consultations with the state government, traditional rulers, and the affected communities.

The NCDPA further demanded that those who have been displaced must be allowed to safely return and reclaim their ancestral lands prior to any discussions on existing or proposed ranching structures. The association firmly declared that Benue is predominantly an agrarian state and that commercial ranching is not feasible in this context.

They reaffirmed their support for Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, who has repeatedly denounced policies that they believe threaten the ancestral lands and security of the Benue people. The NCDPA emphasized that the land of the Benue people is not for sale and has never been on sale, asserting that their ancestral homes must not be used as bargaining chips in government policy.

The association strongly urged the Federal Government to respect the constitutional rights of the people of Benue and engage all relevant stakeholders before moving forward with any ranching initiative in the state.