Attacks Are Land-Driven, Not Religious Conflicts – Sam Ode, Benue Deputy Governor

Benue State Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, has dismissed claims that the ongoing violence in the state is rooted in religious conflict, asserting instead that the attacks are a calculated attempt by armed herdsmen to seize ancestral lands from indigenous communities under the guise of open grazing.

Ode made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and U.S. congressional staff at the Benue Government House in Makurdi. The delegation was on a courtesy visit, received on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

“These conflicts are not religious,” Ode stated. “They are deliberate attempts to displace indigenous populations and take over their ancestral lands. The pressure on land resources, coupled with outdated grazing methods, is the root cause of this crisis.”

He emphasized that the sustained attacks on rural communities are designed to forcefully drive out locals, enabling unregulated and unsustainable grazing practices.

The deputy governor advocated for the adoption of ranching as the only viable, modern, and globally accepted solution to the herder-farmer crisis. “Ranching aligns with international standards and offers a sustainable path to peace and order,” he said. “We are fully committed to collaborating with federal authorities to ensure lasting security for our people.”

During the visit, the UNHCR and U.S. delegation toured the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp located at the Makurdi International Market. Ode commended the visit as a strong gesture of genuine concern and an effort to better understand the scope of the humanitarian crisis facing the state.

Jessie Ainslie, a UNHCR official from the U.S. who led the delegation, conveyed condolences to the Benue State government and expressed solidarity with the victims affected by the violence.