The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council in Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has raised alarm over a fresh wave of violent attacks in the area, attributing them to terrorists fleeing recent military operations in northern Nigeria.
According to Ejeh, armed elements displaced by coordinated United States and Nigerian military airstrikes in Sokoto State have begun relocating to neighbouring states, including Benue. The airstrikes, carried out in December, reportedly targeted terrorist enclaves where attacks were being planned. Since then, intelligence reports and local accounts suggest that surviving fighters have dispersed across state borders.
Ejeh said communities in Agatu Local Government Area are now bearing the brunt of the spillover, with renewed attacks threatening lives, farmlands, and livelihoods.
“Agatu Local Government Area is presently experiencing a renewed wave of violent attacks, which we firmly believe is a fallout of recent military airstrikes in the Sokoto axis,” Ejeh was quoted as saying by Daily Trust.
“These armed elements, fleeing from neighbouring areas, have reportedly infiltrated Agatu communities and unleashed unprecedented terror on innocent and defenceless residents.”
In response to the escalating insecurity, the council chairman announced decisive administrative actions, including the immediate cancellation of a grazing agreement that had allowed herdsmen access to Adepati Island since 2017.
“In view of the persistent violations and escalating violence, I hereby announce the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adepati Island for grazing,” he declared.
Ejeh accused previous local administrations of compromising the safety of Agatu communities under the guise of peacebuilding.
“That agreement, entered into by the then administration of Agatu Local Government Council, was never carried out in good faith. It was done under the guise of promoting peaceful coexistence, but at the expense of the Agatu people,” he said.
Describing the security implications of the arrangement as no longer sustainable, Ejeh declared the agreement null and void and ordered all armed herders to vacate Agatu land immediately.
“The negative consequences of that action have been enormous. Consequently, I hereby declare the agreement null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” he said.
“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 added that security agencies have begun arrests and investigations, warning that anyone found collaborating with armed groups would face the full weight of the law.
“Security agencies have already arrested some relevant suspects and are currently investigating them. No individual found aiding or abetting insecurity in Agatu will be shielded or granted undue leniency,” Ejeh stated.
Reaffirming the stance of the local communities, he said no herders would be welcomed in Agatu for now, stressing that any future engagement would only occur after broad consultations with traditional rulers and other stakeholders and strictly through lawful channels.
“The position of the Agatu people is unequivocal: at this time, no herder is welcome on Agatu land,” he concluded.
