Return our IDPs to their homes before ranching, Benue leaders tell FG

File: Governor Mutfwang in an armoured vehicle during a condolence visit.

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The three major socio-cultural organisations in Benue State have kicked against the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching scheme in Benue, state, insisting that the safe return and resettlement of displaced persons in the state must precede any land allocation for ranches.

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The leaders, who are the Presidents General of the Mzough U Tiv (MUT), Ochetoha k’Idoma, OKI and Omi Ny’Igede, ONI, said while they were not opposed to modern ranching, the policy must not be imposed on communities or implemented at the expense of displaced farmers and food production.