Benue: Why Agatu Chairman served herdsmen quit notice, revoked 2017 grazing agreement

By Johnson Arua

The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Melvin Ejeh, has revoked the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adepati Island for grazing and ordered all armed herders to vacate Agatu land with immediate effect, following a renewed wave of violent attacks in communities across the council area.

Ejeh, in a press statement explained that Agatu is grappling with “unprecedented terror” allegedly unleashed by armed herders believed to be fleeing recent military airstrikes in the Sokoto axis and infiltrating parts of Benue State.

“Agatu Local Government Area is presently experiencing a renewed wave of violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by armed herders,” the chairman said.

“These armed elements, fleeing from neighbouring areas, have reportedly infiltrated Agatu communities and unleashed unprecedented terror on innocent and defenceless residents."

According to him, the attacks have resulted in killings, injuries, cases of rape, destruction of homes and farmlands, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.

He described the situation as a “grave humanitarian and security crisis that demands immediate attention.”
Unequivocally condemning the violence, Ejeh said the continued bloodshed was unacceptable. “Our people are being hunted on their ancestral land without provocation, and this cannot be allowed to continue,” he declared.

On the controversial 2017 grazing arrangement, the chairman announced its immediate cancellation, insisting it was entered into under false pretences and never implemented in good faith. “That agreement was done under the guise of promoting peaceful coexistence, but at the expense of the Agatu people,” he said, adding that its consequences had been “enormous.”

“Consequently, I hereby declare the agreement null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” Ejeh stated. “Furthermore, all armed herders are hereby ordered to vacate Agatu land with immediate effect.
Let it be clearly stated that no portion of Agatu land belongs to herders under any guise.”

He stressed that Agatu is an agrarian society whose farmlands must be protected to guarantee food security and livelihoods.

The council boss called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently reinforce military and police deployment in the area, saying the current security arrangement is “grossly inadequate” to halt the attacks.

While commending Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his efforts to restore peace, Ejeh urged him to remain focused despite distractions from “retrogressive elements.”

He also praised Operation Whirl Stroke, the Nigeria Police, DSS, NSCDC and other agencies for ongoing operations to curb criminality, but appealed for increased troop strength to “flush out these ragtag elements.”

Ejeh disclosed that security agencies have begun making arrests, warning that anyone found aiding or abetting insecurity would not be protected. “No individual found aiding or abetting insecurity in Agatu will be shielded or granted undue leniency,” he said.

He emphasized that, for now, no herder is welcome on Agatu land, noting that any future engagement would only follow broad consultations with the Agatu Traditional Council and other stakeholders, and strictly through lawful channels.

“We are not opposed to any group of people based on ethnicity,” Ejeh added. “But we will not tolerate the presence of anyone whose actions threaten the lives, peace, and livelihoods of our people.”

The chairman urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, cautioning against self-help as authorities intensify efforts to restore peace.

“Agatu deserves peace,” he said. “Our people deserve to live, farm, and thrive without fear," he added.