The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, Melvin James Ejeh, has directed all armed herders to vacate Agatu communities immediately, citing a resurgence of violent attacks that have unsettled residents.
The directive, announced yesterday, also nullifies a grazing arrangement reached in 2017 that allowed herders access to Adapati Island.
The council said the decision became unavoidable following repeated security breaches linked to armed groups.
According to Ejeh, Agatu has recently recorded fresh assaults that local authorities attribute to armed herders who allegedly moved into the area after military operations in parts of northern Nigeria.
He described the development as a dangerous spillover that exposed rural communities to renewed violence.
Moreover, the council chairman said the attacks have left devastating consequences.
He disclosed that women and children were among those killed, while others sustained injuries, suffered sexual violence, or lost homes and farmlands, forcing many families to flee.
“This is no longer a routine security challenge; it has become a humanitarian emergency,” Ejeh said.
“The continuous loss of innocent lives in Agatu is unacceptable and must be stopped.”
Explaining the decision to cancel the grazing pact, the chairman said the 2017 agreement was poorly conceived and failed to protect the interests of the host communities. He stressed that its continued existence only worsened insecurity.
“That arrangement was not entered in good faith and has brought pain rather than peace,” he said. “As of today, it stands cancelled, and it will no longer guide activities on Agatu land.”
Furthermore, Ejeh insisted that Agatu remains a farming community whose land must be safeguarded. He noted that protecting farmlands is essential to food production and the survival of local livelihoods.
“Our people depend on agriculture. Allowing armed groups to overrun our fields threatens food security and the future of our communities,” he added.
The council chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to reinforce security presence in the area. He argued that existing deployments are overstretched and insufficient to address the evolving threat.
While commending Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and security formations for ongoing efforts, Ejeh maintained that the recent influx of armed herders demands stronger and sustained military action.
He further revealed that arrests have been made in connection with the attacks and warned that collaborators would face prosecution. Residents were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
“The message is clear,” Ejeh said. “For now, Agatu land is not open to herders. Peace will only return when our communities are safe again.”