Communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State are facing a new wave of insecurity, prompting decisive action from local authorities.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, has taken a bold step by ordering all herdsmen to leave the area following a surge in violent attacks that have left residents terrified and displaced.
Revoking Old Agreements
In a significant policy move, Ejeh also annulled the 2017 agreement that had allowed herders to graze on Adepati Island.
He declared the pact “null and void,” stating that the deal, initially presented as a measure to promote peaceful coexistence, failed to protect the interests of the Agatu people and had instead exposed them to danger.
Violence Linked to Military Operations
Speaking from Makurdi, Ejeh explained that the recent attacks were linked to military airstrikes in nearby regions, particularly around the Sokoko axis.
Armed herders fleeing those operations allegedly entered Agatu communities, leaving destruction and fear in their wake.
“The attackers unleashed unprecedented terror on innocent residents, leaving behind a trail of death, destruction, and fear,” he said.
Humanitarian Toll on Residents
The chairman provided a grim picture of the impact: multiple residents have been killed, many injured, cases of rape reported, homes and farmlands destroyed, and hundreds displaced into harsh living conditions.
He described the situation as both a grave security and humanitarian crisis, stressing the urgent need for intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Strong Condemnation and Protective Measures
Ejeh did not mince words, condemning the attacks as barbaric.
“Our people are being hunted on their ancestral land without provocation. This cannot continue,” he said.
He emphasized that Agatu is an agrarian society, and protecting farmlands is essential for food security and the livelihoods of its residents.
The chairman ordered that all armed herders vacate Agatu land immediately and made it clear that no part of the area belongs to herders under any pretext.
Call for Reinforced Security
The council chairman also appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to step up military and police presence, noting that the current arrangements are insufficient to control the escalating violence.
He praised the ongoing operations by Operation Whirl Stroke, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their efforts to flush out criminal elements.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Ejeh confirmed that some suspects had already been arrested in connection with the attacks.
He reassured the public that investigations are ongoing and warned that anyone found aiding insecurity in Agatu would face the full weight of the law.
A Clear Message to Herders and Residents
“The position of the Agatu people is unequivocal: at this time, no herder is welcome on Agatu land,” Ejeh declared.
Any future engagements with herders, he noted, would only happen after broad consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders and through lawful channels.
He also called on residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, warning against taking the law into their own hands as security agencies work to restore peace.
“Agatu deserves peace. Our people deserve to live, farm, and thrive without fear,” the chairman emphasized.
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