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Benue Govt Rejects FG Ranching Plan, Says Land Not For Herders

Published

2 months ago

August 25, 2026

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has rejected any attempt to allocate land in the state for ranching without the approval of his administration and the consent of the people.

Alia made the position clear on Monday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders from the Sankera bloc, which covers Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.

The governor’s statement comes less than two weeks after the Federal Government named Benue among the locations selected for the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy.

The policy, announced by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, is aimed at promoting modern livestock production and reducing the movement of large herds of cattle across communities.

Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory, were identified for the initiative.

The Federal Government said the selected areas were chosen because of their history of farmer-herder conflicts. The pilot programme is expected to begin at the Wase Grazing Reserve in Plateau State.

But the announcement has triggered strong reactions in Benue.

Governor Alia has now made it clear that his administration will not permit the compulsory use of Benue land for pastoral activities.

“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,” Alia said.

His comment places the state government firmly against any arrangement that would involve taking over land without local approval.

The Sankera axis, in particular, has remained one of the areas facing serious security challenges.

Communities in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo have suffered attacks, killings and kidnappings over the years.

Many residents have also been forced to leave their homes and farms because of insecurity.

It was against this background that Alia announced fresh measures to improve security in the area.

The governor said three military operational units would be established at strategic locations across Sankera.

One of the units will be located in Agu, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. Another will be stationed in Anyiin, Logo, while the third will be based in Azendeshi, Ukum.

Alia also announced that 30 motorcycles would be provided to security agencies operating in the area.

According to him, the motorcycles are expected to improve movement, patrols and the ability of security personnel to respond quickly when emergencies occur.

Alia said his administration would continue to take steps aimed at protecting residents and restoring confidence in communities affected by insecurity.

The governor also spoke about infrastructure during the meeting.

He announced plans for the construction of a new dam with a projected capacity of 460 megawatts.

The project, according to him, is expected to provide water and support electricity generation in the state.

The town hall meetings are being held across Benue’s 11 federal constituencies.

Benue Groups Had Earlier Rejected Ranching Plan

In a related development, Mzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede had earlier rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ranching programme in the state.

The three groups represent the Tiv, Idoma and Igede communities respectively.

At a press conference in Makurdi earlier this month, the organisations said they were not against modern ranching as an agricultural and commercial activity.

However, they opposed any plan that would impose ranches on communities without their consent.

They also called for the safe return of internally displaced persons before any major allocation of land for ranching is considered.

The groups argued that thousands of Benue residents displaced by violence are still unable to return to their ancestral communities.

They maintained that securing the affected areas and restoring displaced farmers should come before committing large portions of land to a new livestock programme.

The organisations also stressed the importance of protecting farmland and food production in the state.

Benue already has its Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017, which prohibits open grazing and provides a legal framework for ranch establishment in the state.

The state government has repeatedly maintained that livestock production can be developed through ranching, but that such development must follow existing laws and respect the rights of communities.

Related Topics:Benue Govt herders Land plan Ranching rejects

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Council Chairman Vows To Crackdown On Suspected Ritual Killings In Pangshin

Published

10 minutes ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

By Emmanuel Yatai

Mr Felix Gonung, Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Council of Plateau, has vowed to crack down on suspected ritual killings after two deaths were recorded in the area within a month.

Gonung, who gave the assurance during an interview with journalists on Friday in Pankshinon, confirmed that vital organs were allegedly harvested from the victims.

He said three suspects were arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body last month.

He added that further investigations had led to the recovery of suspected fetish substances from the suspects, who had since been transferred to the police headquarters in Jos.

The council chairman said security agencies were also investigating the discovery of a young man’s body at Monday Market on Oct. 6, with vital organs allegedly missing.

He said the incident might be linked to cult activities among students or criminal elements operating within the student community

He assured residents that his administration was working with security agencies to address the situation and restore peace.

“I swore an oath to protect the lives and property of my people. However, the government’s security plans are confidential and the public will soon feel their results and impact.

“This administration, in collaboration with security agencies, is doing everything within its power to restore and maintain the long-existing peace in our communities,” he said.

Gonung disclosed that the council would introduce a policy requiring landlords and hotel operators to provide information about their tenants and guests, respectively.

“This will enable us to crack down on criminal syndicates who disguise themselves as students or guests to perpetrate crimes in the community,” he said.

He noted that Pankshin had enjoyed relative peace despite security challenges in other parts of the state, adding that the recent incidents had understandably heightened residents’ concerns.

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Gonung also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to tackle the menace, stressing that security was a collective responsibility. (NAN)

Edited by Blessing Odega and Philip Yatai

Business

Cardoso Takes Nigeria’s Financial Reforms to Singapore, Signs MoU With GFTN on Innovation

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

En route to the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has undertaken a series of high-level engagements in Singapore tostrengthen Nigeria’s financial connectivity with Asia through institutional cooperation, financial-market development, and innovation.

The engagements included discussions with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), and the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, convened by the CBN in collaboration with J.P. Morgan, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and FMDQ Group.

Together, the engagements reflect the CBN’s emphasis on translating Nigeria’s financial-sector reforms into stronger international partnerships, deeper markets and practical channels for investment, trade and financial innovation.

In discussions with MAS, the CBN delegation exchanged perspectives on financial-sector development, regulation, market connectivity and innovation, identifying areas of mutual interest for continued engagement and potential collaboration.

The discussions provided an opportunity to draw on both financial systems‘ experiences and explore how stronger institutional relationships could support financial-market development and emerging technologies.

In a further step towards practical cooperation, the CBN and GFTN signed an MoU establishing a framework for collaboration on financial innovation.

The agreement provides a basis for connecting relevant institutions and innovation ecosystems, exploring areas of mutual interest and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation between Nigeria and Singapore.

At the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, hosted at J.P. Morgan’s Singapore offices and anchored by Mr Dapo Olagunji, Managing Director of J.P. Morgan West Africa, Governor Cardoso outlined Nigeria’s ambition to build deeper, more liquid and internationally connected financial markets, positioning the reforms undertaken in recent years as the foundation for a new phase of market development.

He emphasised that reforms to Nigeria’s foreign-exchange market were aimed at removing distortions, restoring transparency and strengthening confidence in the rules governing market participation.

“The real test of reform is not whether you can attract capital once; it is whether you create the confidence for capital to stay, return and grow,” he said.

The Governor highlighted the importance of credible monetary policy, stronger governance, improved market functioning and predictable rules in creating the conditions for sustained domestic and international investment.

He noted that stabilisation was not an end in itself, but a foundation for broader participation by long-term institutional capital, stronger market infrastructure and more effective connections with international financial markets.

The Dialogue brought together investors, financial institutions, businesses and Nigerians living and working across Asia.

The event featured a panel moderated by Gbolahan Taiwo, J.P. Morgan’s Chief Economist for Africa, with Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group; Zeal Akaraiwe, Group Managing Director/CEO of FMDQ Group; Aderinola Shonekan, Director of Trade and Exchange at the CBN; and Olumayokun Ajibade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Financial Markets and Economic Policy.

The discussion explored Nigeria’s reform trajectory, from capital formation and foreign-exchange market confidence to the development of deeper, more liquid markets and the infrastructure needed to support sustained international participation.

Cardoso emphasised that Nigeria’s engagement with Asia is intended to extend beyond attracting investment flows to building durable relationships between financial institutions, markets, businesses and people.

He identified opportunities for stronger links between Nigerian and Asian banks and market institutions, more efficient payments and settlement channels, and greater participation by Nigerians living and working across the region.

The Governor also highlighted the growing role of financial technology and artificial intelligence in improving financial services, strengthening risk management, supporting inclusion and enhancing regulatory capabilities.

The Singapore engagements form part of a broader programme of institutional and market engagement across Asia, including further meetings in Beijing.

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