Benue Killings: Beyond Grazing — A Deep Dive into Land, Resources, and Fear

ABUJA — Dr. Romeo Mon, a human rights lawyer, safety expert, and president of Lawyers Act, says the ongoing killings in Benue State are not about grazing. Instead, they stem from struggles over resources, land settlement, and deep fears.

Dr. Mon also expressed sorrow that entire local governments in Benue have been destroyed. Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are now crowded beyond capacity.

This was shared during a podcast called Cross-Perspectives with Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, manager partner at Nextier. The episode was titled: "Benue Bleeds: Unmasking the untold sides of Nigeria’s farmer-herder crisis."

Unmasking the Core of the Crisis

The podcast focused on key questions and concerns about the recent massacre in Benue.

Dr. Nwokolo said Nigeria is suffering and seeking answers. He started by condemning the violence, saying: “Today, we face a crisis that’s been ignored for too long. Our land is crying, families in Benue are mourning, and the nation is hurting.”

He explained that Benue has long been a hot spot for violence caused by conflicts between farmers and herders. Over time, these fights have worsened, costing thousands of lives and leaving many families with lasting pain.

Beyond Simple Explanations

But the recent massacre struck a deeper nerve in Nigeria’s very core.

In this urgent episode of Cross-Perspectives, Dr. Nwokolo was joined by Dr. Romeo Mon, a seasoned human rights lawyer and safety expert. Mon is also president of Lawyers Act. Together, they looked into the core issues behind the crisis, especially focusing on the recent deadly attack.

Dr. Nwokolo said the human toll and the questions around the violence are big. What began as disputes over land stopgap measures like grazing, but now it has become much more complex.

The Real Drivers: Land and Resources

He explained that climate change and resource shortages have fueled the conflict. But it’s not just about cattle on farmland. There are deeper economic factors involved in Benue’s crisis.

Quoting Dr. Mon, Nwokolo said: “This situation is a clear case of land grabbing. People are trying to settle forcibly in parts of the state. It’s not just about grazing. It’s about control over land and resources, and where people can settle.”

Mon added that entire local governments have been devastated. IDP camps are overflowing with displaced families.

Dispelling Misconceptions

He also emphasized that religion is not a major factor. Many think the violence is driven by religious differences, but that’s not true. External influences aim to create that conflict intentionally.

Mon explained, “There is no Christian-Muslim war in Benue. That narrative is pushed from outside. The real issues are economic, linked to land and what’s underneath it.”

Many believe these conflicts are just about long-term land disputes. But Mon said that’s not accurate. There are no old settlers in Benue — the land belongs to the Tiv people, who have deep spiritual ties to it. The recent violence started only about five or six years ago.

Calls for Action and Deeper Understanding

He also noted that this special episode of Cross-Perspectives hopes to find people who can help lead solutions for Nigeria’s problems. It urges listeners to look beyond simple stories and understand the deeper causes in Benue and the North Central region.

The discussion highlights the need for urgent security measures that focus on people’s safety. It recommends improving community policing and conducting a full national review of why displacement and violence happen.

The episode also calls on government officials, peace groups, and community leaders to recognize the true causes of the crisis. They must avoid spreading misleading or oversimplified stories about what’s happening in Benue.