Tinubu Urges Benue to Allocate Land for Ranching Amid Rising Insecurity

Amid a wave of deadly attacks in Benue State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to the state government to allocate land for ranching as a proactive measure to address farmer-herder conflicts. Speaking in Makurdi during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting, Tinubu emphasized the need to abandon outdated practices and prioritize the value of human lives over livestock.

The President’s remarks come in response to the most recent attack in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people have been reported killed by suspected armed herders. The massacre, which occurred last Friday, has further intensified national debates around insecurity and land-use conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

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“Give Me Land to Establish a Ranch,” Tinubu Appeals

Addressing political leaders, traditional rulers, and community representatives in Makurdi, Tinubu highlighted the urgent need for practical solutions, including ranching, to curb recurring violence.

“Give me land to establish a ranch, we can shake off the backwardness,” Tinubu said passionately. “We are one family living in the same house but sleeping in different rooms. Let’s fight our enemies together and not each other.”

He invoked the newly reinstated national anthem, stating that the aspiration to hand over a “banner without stain” to future generations must be backed by unity and responsible leadership.

“A human life is better than that of a cow,” he added, stressing the moral imperative to prevent further bloodshed.

The President’s call for land allocation marks a notable shift in federal engagement with state-level security challenges, particularly in regions vulnerable to herder incursions and retaliatory violence.

Tinubu Orders Arrest of Yelewata Killers

Beyond policy suggestions, Tinubu issued a direct order to Nigeria’s security chiefs to apprehend the perpetrators of the Yelewata killings. Addressing General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, during the meeting, the President said:

“Christopher… We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out.”

This directive follows his earlier visit to victims of the attack at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where he met survivors undergoing treatment. His visit aimed to show federal solidarity with the grieving communities and demonstrate the seriousness with which the government treats the security crisis in Benue.

Tinubu was accompanied by key figures, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Governor Alia Attributes Killings to Land Disputes

During the town hall, Governor Alia reiterated that the killings were carried out by suspected herders whose primary motivation is to seize land.

“This is not just about clashes; this is about forceful occupation and violent displacement,” Alia stated, calling for stronger federal support in addressing what he termed a slow-motion invasion of Benue communities.

While Benue is among the few Nigerian states with anti-open grazing laws, enforcement has remained a significant challenge due to limited resources and coordination between state and federal authorities.

President Tinubu’s push for ranching could revive long-stalled national conversations around modern livestock management. Advocates argue that well-managed ranches can reduce tension between farmers and herders, boost productivity, and enhance food security. However, implementing this vision requires political will, funding, and the delicate handling of cultural and land ownership sensitivities.

National Security, Unity, and the Road Ahead

President Tinubu’s Makurdi visit comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly demanding accountability and protection in the face of spiraling violence. His call for unity and collective resistance against insecurity reflects a broader plea for a national shift in focus—from divisive rhetoric to inclusive action.

“We cannot hand over a country where killings have become normalized,” Tinubu emphasized. “It is time to act — together.”

Whether or not Tinubu’s proposal for ranching receives swift support from the Benue State Government remains to be seen. But his visit has reignited national attention on the need for sustainable, humane, and legal solutions to one of Nigeria’s most protracted crises.