AGATU – Youths from Agatu West in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State have staged a peaceful protest over alleged persistent attacks on their communities, calling on the Federal Government to urgently deploy security personnel to protect residents.
The protesters, who were mostly youths from affected villages, decried what they described as secret killings of farmers, rape of young girls and burning of houses allegedly carried out by herdsmen and other unidentified criminals.
The protesters also disrupted traffic along Oweto–Otukpo highway carrying placards with inscriptions such as Agatu is not for sale, Stop killing our people, We no go gree, Save Agatu now among others.
They lamented that the continued attacks had forced many villagers to flee their homes, leaving farmlands deserted while residents now live in constant fear.
Speaking during the protest, National Youth President of Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Ebi Lucky, said the communities had been experiencing repeated attacks since 2013.
According to him, the situation had worsened in recent years with continued killings that often go unreported.
“In the last two years, there have been secret killings of our people which the media do not even get access to report.
“That is why we are protesting to draw the attention of the Federal Government, especially as our representatives appear to be paying deaf ears to our cries” .
Lucky explained that the security situation in the area had gone beyond the control of the local government chairman, stressing that only the intervention of the Federal Government could restore peace.
Also speaking, the General Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Dandy Adoba, alleged that several villages in the Agatu West axis had been sacked by attackers.
He said hundreds of residents had been killed, while many others were displaced from their homes.
“We have taken our complaints to the local government authorities several times and were promised that security would be deployed, but nothing has been done.
“Security personnel are stationed in nearby communities, yet they have not been deployed to the affected areas.
“As we speak, our people are dying almost on a daily basis”.
Adoba appealed to the Federal and Benue State governments to collaborate with the local government to deploy security personnel to vulnerable communities and major routes allegedly used by the attackers.
“We want displaced people to return to their homes, but that cannot happen without adequate security” .
Similarly, President of Agatu Youth Stakeholders Forum, Mr. Umar Muhammad, said the persistent attacks had displaced many people from their communities, leaving residents struggling to survive.
“Our farmers can no longer go to their farms and many families are now living in very difficult conditions.
“This has led to hardship and insecurity among young people who have been forced out of their communities” .
Muhammad urged the government to strengthen security in boundary communities where attackers allegedly gain access to the area.
Another protester, Mr. Oyigoche Gideon, said several houses had been burnt during the attacks, leaving many residents homeless.
“Our farmers can no longer go to farm because the moment they move a short distance from the village, they risk being attacked”.
Addressing the protesters, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, CSP Dennis Asawa, commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully, assuring them that security agencies were doing their best to restore peace and enable displaced persons to return to their communities.
“I want to appreciate the protesters for organising themselves in a peaceful manner.
“The message they have passed has been conveyed to the appropriate authorities and I believe necessary actions will be taken”.
Meanwhile, Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, have appealed to the Federal Government to assist them to return to their ancestral homes following attacks by herdsmen.
The displaced persons, currently taking refuge in a camp in Agatu Local Government Area, said they had been away from their communities since 2024.
Mrs. Ajumi John, who narrated her ordeals said they chose to settle in the area because of the presence of soldiers, which gives them a sense of security, though fear of fresh attacks still persists.
“We came here because soldiers are around and we feel safer. But sometimes at night we hear information that attackers may come, and we start running to different places to save our lives and our children” .
Another displaced person, Mr. Ogah Sale, said the community was attacked by unidentified gunmen, forcing residents to flee their homes.
“We found ourselves here because of attacks from people we do not know. We had to leave everything behind.
“Most of what we use now, including clothes, are donations from kind Nigerians. We are waiting for government to come to our aid”.
Sale added that the displaced persons, drawn from different villages and communities, were forced to live together in the camp while hoping to return to their homes when peace is restored.
Meanwhile Mr. Ebi Lucky, who visited the camp, appealed to the federal government for assistance, saying that the victims had remained in difficult conditions without adequate assistance.
He said the peoples’ representative from the area shown no concern on their plights.
“We have been in this situation for the past two years. Many of our people left their homes and have been living here without hope of returning soon.
“Our government representatives are not concerned about where they are living, what they eat or what they do. The children do not have access to education and the people have nothing to sustain themselves”.
Lucky appealed to the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and restore peace in the affected communities.
He also called on the Benue State government and other elected representatives to assist the displaced persons to return to their homes.
According to him, the situation exposes women and children to harsh weather conditions whenever it rains.
He said that life in the camp had been particularly difficult during the rainy season as the displaced persons lacked adequate shelter and were living close to a river that often overflowed.
