The Bishop of the Makurdi Diocese in Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has urged authorities to reconsider their approach to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. According to him, the displaced persons do not need to be relocated to new settlements but should instead be assisted to return to their ancestral lands.
The Bishop argued that nearly all the displaced persons are farmers whose livelihoods depend on access to their farmlands. He questioned the practicality of resettlement, pointing out that it would leave their ancestral communities abandoned and vulnerable to occupation by attackers. The cleric emphasized that the only durable and sustainable solution for the IDPs is to return them to their ancestral homes, where they can resume their farming activities.
The Bishop noted that the government has the capacity to provide enough security, especially at the border areas, to ensure the safety of the returnees. He also decried attempts to distort the narrative surrounding the killings in Benue and other parts of the country for personal or political gains. The Bishop's persistent calls for peace have been driven by a desire to see residents return to their normal lives.
The Bishop's call for IDPs to return to their ancestral homes is a stark reminder of the government's failure to provide adequate security for Benue residents. The persistent killings in the state have left many displaced and vulnerable. The government's responsibility to protect lives is clear, and it is time for them to take concrete actions to address the root causes of the violence. The Bishop's advocacy has been vindicated, and it is now up to the government to rise to their responsibilities and ensure the safety of all citizens. The economic realities of the displaced persons cannot be ignored, and it is time for the government to provide support for their return to their ancestral lands.
