Hundreds of young people from Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State on Saturday staged a protest along the Oweto–Otukpo highway, blocking the road near the Oweto Bridge to demand decisive action over the continued killing of residents by suspected armed herders.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the Agatu-West Peace and Unity Forum, began their action on Friday and maintained the blockade for several hours, causing heavy traffic congestion on the busy route and drawing public attention to the worsening security situation in their communities.
Waving placards bearing messages such as “Stop Agatu killings now,” “Save Agatu now,” and “We do not need Fulani in Agatu,” the protesters urged both the federal government and the Benue State government to intervene swiftly and restore peace in the troubled area.
Addressing the crowd, National Youth President of the Forum, Mr. Ebi Lucky, said repeated attacks by suspected Fulani militias had forced several residents to abandon their ancestral homes.
He added that a large number of displaced people have been living in temporary shelters along the banks of the Oweto River for more than two years.
“Our people have been in this trouble for the past two and a half years. Many have left their ancestral homes and are now living here without shelter, food, schools or medical care,” he said.
Lucky stated that the demonstration was organised to draw the attention of the Federal Government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the hardship faced by displaced residents and the continued attacks in communities across Agatu West.
He also criticised the administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and the Agatu Local Government chairman, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, accusing them of neglecting the affected communities.
“We have cried to the local government chairman and the state governor, but nobody has come to our aid.
“All we are demanding is peace in Agatu land and the opportunity to return to our farms,” he said.
The protesters also appealed to the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ojema Ojotu, and the Senator representing Benue-South, Patrick Aba Moro, urging them to take concrete steps to address the suffering of their constituents.
They further called on the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities, particularly areas they described as porous entry points frequently used by attackers.
Agatu, situated in southern Benue and predominantly inhabited by the Idoma people, relies heavily on farming and fishing as the primary sources of livelihood.
One of the victims, Mrs. Mercy Danladi, recounted how her husband, sister and cousin lost their lives during separate attacks on Ochelefu village between 2013 and 2025.
She appealed to the Federal Government to urgently step in and provide adequate security to allow displaced residents return to their homes and farmlands.
Another displaced resident, Ajumi John, disclosed that more than 200 internally displaced persons are currently sheltering in makeshift huts close to the riverbank.
“Our community has been taken over by the militia. We have nowhere to go. When it rains, we cover the roofs of our huts made of sticks and grass with leather,” he said.
The protesters insisted they would continue the demonstration until authorities take concrete measures to halt the killings and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, CSP Dennis Asawa, who monitored security during the protest, praised the demonstrators for maintaining peace throughout the exercise.
“I appreciate the protesters for organising themselves in a peaceful manner. Their message has been conveyed to the authorities, and appropriate actions will be taken,” he said.
Also speaking, National Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Dandy Adoba, claimed that more than 15 villages in Agatu West have been overrun by armed herders since 2013.
He added that hundreds of residents had been killed in the attacks, noting that security forces stationed nearby had yet to be deployed to the worst-hit communities.
“Our people are dying almost on a daily basis. We are appealing to the Federal Government to deploy security personnel so that our people can return home,” he said.
