The Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, rejects the Federal Government’s decision to include Benue State in the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy. In statements reported by both outlets, the priests say the plan is unacceptable and could undermine the security and livelihoods of residents.
The association warns that the ranching initiative may lead to land grabbing and threatens ancestral lands. Both reports attribute the concerns to the NCDPA’s position that people’s customary land rights could be affected as the government rolls out the policy in Benue as part of a pilot.
While the outlets largely focus on the priests’ rejection and the risk to land and security, they differ only in how the story is introduced and described. Neither report provides new details on the government’s response within the excerpts, but both confirm that Benue is singled out for early implementation and that the priests are urging rejection of the move.
