No Forced Cattle Ranching in Benue, Governor Alia Assures Agitated Residents

Amidst palpable tension and growing apprehension across the food basket of the nation, the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has stepped forward to douse the flames of anxiety surrounding the Federal Government’s newly announced pilot ranching programme. Addressing the state shortly after swearing in newly appointed commissioners in Makurdi, the cleric-turned-politician urged citizens to maintain decorum, asserting that the inclusion of Benue in the pilot phase does not translate to an automatic or forceful implementation of cattle ranching within their borders.

The announcement by the federal authorities had sparked immediate, intense debates across local communities, many of which have historically borne the devastating brunt of violent pastoralist conflicts. Acknowledging the public outrage and social media-fueled panic, Governor Alia observed that many residents had reacted precipitously without fully digesting the nuances and structural limits of the proposed federal scheme. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that we are going to have any cow ranch in the state," the governor clarified, attempting to restore administrative clarity to a highly volatile public discourse.

In a strategic move to de-escalate the panic, Alia demystified the term "livestock," reminding citizens that the state’s newly established Ministry of Livestock is structured to cater to a broad spectrum of domestic animals, including poultry, goats, and sheep—not merely cattle. He reemphasized that Benue's landmark law prohibiting open grazing remains active, legally binding, and fiercely protected by his administration to ensure the physical safety, mental peace, and socio-economic stability of agrarian communities.