By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Agatu security crisis has deepened as the Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. (Amb.) James Melvin Ejeh, ordered all armed herders to vacate the council area with immediate effect, citing escalating violence and humanitarian concerns.In a statement released to reporters on Sunday, Ejeh, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State, lamented the worsening security situation in Agatu communities. He attributed the renewed attacks to armed herders allegedly fleeing from neighbouring areas following recent military airstrikes in the Sokoko axis.According to the chairman, the influx of these armed elements has led to widespread violence against residents. He said the attacks have resulted in killings, injuries, cases of sexual violence, destruction of homes and farmlands, and the displacement of hundreds of people now living in fear.
“This situation represents a grave humanitarian and security crisis that demands urgent attention,” Ejeh said. He condemned what he described as “barbaric acts” against innocent and defenceless citizens, stressing that Agatu residents are being attacked on their ancestral land without provocation.As part of decisive measures to address the Agatu security crisis, the council chairman announced the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herders access to Adepati Island for grazing. He said the agreement, entered into by a previous administration, was not implemented in good faith and had instead exposed the local population to danger.“The agreement was done under the guise of peaceful coexistence, but at the expense of the Agatu people,” he stated. “Given its negative consequences, it is hereby declared null, void, and of no effect.”
Ejeh further declared that no portion of Agatu land belongs to herders under any guise, emphasizing that the local government is predominantly agrarian and must protect its farmlands to ensure food security and livelihoods.He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently deploy additional military and police personnel to the area, noting that the current security arrangement is inadequate to halt the attacks. He also appealed to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to increase troop strength to flush out armed groups operating within the council.
The chairman commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his efforts to restore peace across the state, urging him to remain focused despite provocations. He also praised Operation Whirl Stroke, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other agencies for ongoing security operations in the area.Ejeh disclosed that some suspects linked to criminal activities have already been arrested and are under investigation. He warned that anyone found aiding or abetting insecurity in Agatu would face the full weight of the law.
Reiterating the position of the local community, the chairman said that no herder is currently welcome in Agatu land. Any future engagement, he added, would only occur after extensive consultations with the Agatu Traditional Council and other stakeholders, and strictly through lawful channels.He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, cautioning against self-help as authorities work to restore peace.“Agatu deserves peace,” Ejeh said. “Our people deserve to live, farm, and thrive without fear.”
