Catholic priests reject FG's ranching plan for Benue, warn of land grabbing

Catholic priests in Nigeria's Benue State have voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government's national ranching policy. Members of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, have rejected the plan, which aims to pilot ranching initiatives in the state.

The priests issued a stern warning, asserting that the government's ranching policy could facilitate land grabbing. They expressed concerns that the implementation of this policy might jeopardize the ancestral lands of residents and compromise their overall security. The association's stance signals a significant local resistance to the federal initiative.

The Federal Government's Minister of Livestock Development was reportedly involved in the decision to include Benue State in the pilot program. However, the NCDPA's rejection highlights a deep-seated conflict between community land rights and federal development projects.