Terhemba Shija: Benue Govt Has Ended Up Ranching Human Beings, Over 900,000 Residents Live In IDP Camps

9th September, 2026 | News

NDC Candidate Terhemba Shija Claims Over 900,000 Benue Residents Displaced in IDP Camps Amid Insecurity

Prof. Terhemba Shija, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Benue State, has criticized the state government’s attempt to implement ranching, arguing it has failed to protect citizens and led to widespread displacement.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Shija stated that over 900,000 residents are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state after losing access to their farmland.

Highlighting the economic impact on the region, Shija noted that Benue is an agrarian state where roughly 70% of the population relies on agriculture. He alleged that armed herdsmen have taken over local farmlands, leaving displaced residents dependent on government aid.

Shija remarked that rather than effectively ranching cattle, the state government’s approach has effectively “ranched human beings” inside IDP camps. He stated that his top priority, if elected, would be to secure affected communities, return displaced farmers to their land, and initiate a comprehensive restructuring plan for the state.