By Tracy Moses
The Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA) has rejected the inclusion of Benue State in the Federal Government’s proposed pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy, insisting that there is no “empty land” in the state available for allocation to outside interests.
The union also called on the Benue State Government, traditional institutions, community leaders, elected representatives, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to use every lawful and democratic means to oppose the state’s participation in the pilot programme.
MUTA made its position known in a statement signed by its President, Prof. Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa, and Secretary, Prof. Joseph Zume, after an emergency meeting convened to consider the proposed ranching programme.
The organisation said its opposition was rooted in the prolonged security and humanitarian crisis affecting communities across Benue, particularly the displacement of residents following attacks attributed to armed herders.
It said many displaced residents remained in internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps and had yet to return safely to their ancestral communities.
“We members of MUTA unequivocally reject the inclusion of Benue State among the states selected for the pilot implementation of the Federal Government’s National Ranching Policy,” the statement said.
“For more than a decade, communities across Benue have endured devastating attacks, loss of lives, destruction of homes and farms, and mass displacement associated with violent herders’ attacks. Large numbers of our people remain uprooted from their ancestral communities and continue to live under extremely difficult conditions in IDP camps.”
‘Why Benue?’
MUTA questioned the rationale for selecting Benue as a pilot state, given its predominantly agrarian economy and its longstanding description as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
“The circumstances inevitably raise a deeply troubling question: Why Benue?” the union asked.
“Benue is overwhelmingly agrarian and is nationally recognised as the Food Basket of the Nation. Crop farming has historically been central to the economy, identity and livelihood of its people.
“Land in Benue is therefore not an idle resource waiting to be allocated. It is the foundation of our people’s livelihood, heritage, security and future.”
The union argued that the security crisis had made any discussion of land allocation particularly sensitive, especially in communities where residents displaced by violence had yet to return.
“More troubling, many communities affected by violence have not yet been able to return safely to their ancestral lands,” it said.
“Any proposal involving the allocation, designation, acquisition or conversion of land for ranching under these circumstances naturally creates a legitimate fear that displaced communities could permanently lose access to lands from which they were forced.”
MUTA demands answers from FG
The group demanded an explanation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government on the basis for selecting Benue as one of the pilot states.
“Why was Benue State selected for the pilot ranching programme? What objective criteria were used, and what consultations were conducted with affected communities before that decision was made?” it asked.
MUTA also demanded guarantees that displaced residents would regain full possession of their ancestral lands before any ranching project was considered.
“What guarantees will ensure that displaced Benue people regain full possession of their ancestral lands before any ranching project is contemplated?” the union asked.
It further questioned the use of public resources to establish or support private livestock enterprises on community land, particularly when farmers displaced by violence had yet to receive comparable assistance.
The union maintained that land appearing unoccupied because its owners had been displaced by violence must not be treated as vacant or available for redistribution.
“MUTA wishes to state emphatically that Benue has no ‘empty land’ awaiting allocation to outside commercial interests,” it said.
“Land that appears unoccupied because its owners have been displaced by violence must never be treated as vacant, abandoned or available for redistribution.”
‘Secure displaced communities first’
The organisation said introducing the ranching pilot without first resolving the displacement crisis, restoring affected communities to their ancestral lands, guaranteeing their security and obtaining meaningful public consent would be “profoundly troubling.”
“The first responsibility of government must be to secure the people, restore displaced citizens to their ancestral communities, and protect their land rights, not introduce a policy that could deepen existing fears of dispossession,” MUTA said.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to suspend Benue’s participation in the proposed pilot programme and instead prioritise the safe return, rehabilitation, compensation and protection of displaced communities.
The union also called for broad consultation with affected communities and stakeholders before any decision involving land use for ranching is implemented in the state.
“Benue land is our heritage, our livelihood, and the inheritance of generations yet unborn. It must not become the price our people pay for having survived displacement,” MUTA stressed.:::