ALIA REJECTS ANY PLAN TO ALLOCATE BENUE LAND TO HERDERS

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his administration’s position that no part of the state will be ceded or surrendered to herders, stressing that the government will continue to protect the interests and ancestral lands of its residents.

Alia made the position known amid continuing concerns over clashes between farmers and herders and demands for access to grazing areas in parts of the state. He maintained that Benue’s land belongs to its people and that the government would not support any arrangement that compromises their rights.

The governor’s stance comes against the background of long-running tensions between farming communities and herders in Benue. The conflict has frequently resulted in displacement, destruction of property and loss of lives, while efforts to find a lasting solution have remained a major concern for the state government.

Alia has continued to advocate for peaceful coexistence while insisting that residents must operate within the provisions of the law. He has also backed measures aimed at improving security and protecting farming communities, particularly in areas affected by attacks and communal tensions.

The governor’s latest position reinforces his administration’s commitment to safeguarding Benue’s territory and agricultural interests. He stressed that resolving the farmer-herder crisis must not involve taking land from one group and handing it over to another, but should instead focus on lawful, sustainable and peaceful solutions.