Protesters numbering in the hundreds gathered along the Oweto-Otukpo route near the Oweto Bridge on Saturday in Agatu Local Government Area, Benue State, to demand an end to the ongoing killings of locals by suspected armed herders.
On Friday, protesters bearing the banner of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum started their action and kept the blockage going for a few hours, which caused significant traffic jams along the key highway and brought public attention to the deteriorating security situation in their neighbourhoods.
Protesters drew signs reading “Stop Agatu killings now,” “Save Agatu now,” and “We do not need Fulani in Agatu,” among others, and demanded that the federal and Benue state governments intervene immediately to end the violence and bring calm to the region.
Many locals had to flee their ancestral homes due to the frequent attacks by what were believed to be Fulani militants, according to Mr. Ebi Lucky, who was speaking to the gathering as the national youth president of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum.
He went on to say that for over two years, a great number of displaced persons have been residing in makeshift shelters along the Oweto River’s banks.
This has been going on for our people for almost 2.5 years. “Many have departed from their ancestral homelands and are now residing here without adequate housing, nourishment, education, or healthcare,” he remarked.
According to Lucky, the purpose of the protest was to bring the troubles experienced by displaced people and the ongoing attacks in Agatu West to the notice of the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In addition, he accused Hon. Melvin Ejeh, chairman of the Agatu Local Government, and the administration of Hyacinth Alia of ignoring the impacted areas.
No one has stepped in to help us, even after we pleaded with the state governor and the chair of the local government. “All we are asking for is a chance to go back to our farms and peace in Agatu land,” he stated.
Protesters also reached out to Patrick Aba Moro, senator for the Benue South Senatorial District, and Ojema Ojotu, representative for the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, requesting that they do something about the plight of their citizens.
In addition, they demanded that the federal government send additional security officers to regions they identified as easy targets, citing certain neighbourhoods as examples of such vulnerable areas.
The Idoma people make their living mostly via farming and fishing in the southern Benuean town of Agatu.
Mrs. Mercy Danladi, who was one of the victims, described how her husband, sister, and cousin were all killed in different assaults on the community of Ochelefu from 2013 to 2025.
In order to facilitate the return of displaced people to their homes and farms, she pleaded on the federal government to act swiftly and ensure sufficient security.
More than 200 displaced people are taking refuge in makeshift houses near the riverbed, according to Ajumi John, another displaced resident.
The militia have taken over our community. Nowhere will take us. “We use leather to cover the roofs of our stick and grass huts when it rains,” he explained.
Until the government takes real action to end the killings and allow displaced people to return safely, the protestors said they will keep protesting.
The protesters were commended by CSP Dennis Asawa, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, for keeping the peace throughout the exercise, who oversaw security measures.
The nonviolent organization of the protests is something I commend. “Their message has been relayed to the authorities, and they will take the necessary steps,” he stated.
The Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum’s national secretary, Mr. Dandy Adoba, also spoke, claiming that armed herders have taken over over fifteen villages in the region since 2013.
Noting that security personnel stationed nearby had not yet been sent to the worst-hit areas, he continued by saying that hundreds of locals had died in the attacks.
Almost every day, we see the deaths of our people. In order for our people to be able to go back home, he pleaded with the federal government to send in security forces.