Benue Won’t Cede Land for Ranches Against People’s Will — Alia

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has vowed that his administration will not cede any portion of the state’s land to pastoralists for ranching without the consent of the people.

Alia spoke on Monday in Katsina-Ala during the commencement of his statewide tour of the state’s 11 federal constituencies.

The governor was reacting to the Federal Government’s proposed National Ranching Policy, which requires states to provide land for ranches equipped with facilities such as schools and hospitals.

Opposition parties and socio-cultural groups in Benue had earlier expressed concerns over the policy and urged the governor to state his position.

Alia said no ranch would be established in Benue against the wishes of the people, insisting that nobody would force the state to surrender its land for the purpose.

“Nobody will force us to cede even an inch of our land to pastoralists for any purpose,” he said.

The governor also announced plans to deploy three military units to the Sankera axis, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo, to strengthen security.

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

Alia further announced the donation of 30 motorcycles to security agencies to enhance patrols and rapid response operations across the area.

On infrastructure, the governor disclosed plans to construct a new dam with a projected capacity of 460 megawatts, which he said would support water supply and electricity generation in the state.

The tour is also aimed at thanking members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for supporting his emergence as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, while providing an opportunity for town hall meetings with stakeholders across the state.