The Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to include Benue State in the pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy.
The association described the move as unacceptable and a potential threat to the ancestral lands of the people.
This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Revd. Fr. Joseph Terfa Beba, which expressed concern over what it described as the apparent exclusion of the Benue State Government from the decision-making process leading to the policy.
According to the NCDPA, Benue, which has suffered prolonged insecurity, killings, displacement and destruction of communities, should not be subjected to any policy that could result in land grabbing, forced occupation or permanent displacement of indigenous communities.
The association said ranching should not be introduced in the state without transparent consultation with the state government, traditional rulers and affected communities.
The priests also demanded that
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