Catholic Priests Reject Ranching Policy in Benue State

On Thursday, the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) of Makurdi Diocese publicly rejected the federal government’s decision to include Benue State in the pilot implementation of its national ranching policy. The association, led by chairman Revd Fr Joseph Terfa Beba, emphasized that the government should prioritize the safe return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their ancestral communities instead of focusing on cattle ranching.

They described Benue as an already “bleeding and targeted” state and cautioned that ranching initiatives should not lead to land grabbing, forced occupation, or the displacement of indigenous communities. The priests expressed concern over the alleged exclusion of the Benue State government from the decision-making process regarding the policy.

They highlighted the suffering of Benue communities due to killings, displacement, and prolonged insecurity, insisting that any policy affecting their lands must involve local governance and community leaders. The association also referenced Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe CMF’s consistent opposition to policies threatening the security and land rights of Benue people.