The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council in Benue State, Hon. Melvin James Ejeh, has scrapped a controversial grazing agreement signed in 2017 and ordered all armed herders to leave Agatu communities with immediate effect, following renewed deadly attacks in the area.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Thursday, Ejeh said Agatu had come under a fresh wave of violence allegedly carried out by armed herders who infiltrated the local government area after recent military airstrikes in parts of Sokoto State.
According to the council chairman, the latest attacks have left a trail of devastation, including the killing of women and children, injuries, alleged cases of rape, the destruction of homes and farmlands, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
Describing the situation as a full-blown humanitarian and security emergency, Ejeh said the continued bloodshed in Agatu was intolerable and demanded decisive action.
“In view of the persistent violations and the escalating violence, I hereby announce the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adapati Island for grazing,” he declared.
Ejeh explained that the agreement, which was entered into by a former sole administrator, was never executed in good faith and had instead exposed Agatu communities to years of insecurity and loss. He therefore declared the pact null and void.
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The council chairman was unequivocal in his directive, stating that no part of Agatu land belongs to herders and ordering all armed herders to vacate the area without delay.
“Agatu is an agrarian community. Our farmlands must be protected to secure food production and safeguard the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
Ejeh called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently reinforce security in Agatu, noting that the current deployment was inadequate to contain the growing threat.
While commending Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for ongoing peace efforts, he also praised the military and security agencies—including Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Anyam Nyor, the Nigeria Police, DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps—for their work in the area.
However, he stressed that the recent influx of armed herders made it necessary to deploy additional troops to flush out criminal elements hiding within Agatu communities.
The council chairman revealed that some suspects had already been arrested in connection with the attacks and warned that anyone found aiding or abetting insecurity would face prosecution.
He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, assuring them that authorities were taking steps to restore peace.
“The position of the Agatu people is clear,” Ejeh said. “At this time, no herder is welcome on Agatu land.”
