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Residents of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State on Monday staged a protest in Obagaji, the council headquarters, demanding the immediate removal of Fulani herdsmen from their communities ahead of the rainy season farming activities.
The angry protesters, carrying placards and chanting “Fulani must go,” marched to the local government secretariat to express their grievances. They insisted that herders must vacate farmlands to ensure a peaceful farming season, stressing that the presence of herders and their cattle could lead to destruction of crops and possible clashes.
An eyewitness who spoke during the protest said the demonstration was driven by persistent insecurity in the area. “They keep attacking and killing our people with sophisticated weapons. We can no longer go to our farms or carry out our farming activities,” the resident lamented, adding, “May God help the people of Agatu. We will continue to stand strong because this is our land, and we did not inherit it together with them.”
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, said he had met with the aggrieved residents, protesting youths, and community elders to address their concerns. “I have spoken with the protesting youths and also met with the elders. Measures will be taken to address the situation,” he said.
Ejeh, however, noted that security strategies would not be made public. “Security issues and actions are not things to be discussed in the public,” he added. The chairman assured residents that efforts were ongoing to maintain peace and prevent any crisis in the area. He expressed happiness that the rate of herders’ attacks had reduced in the local government and pledged continued efforts to avoid any chaotic incident.
The protest highlights the recurring tension between farming communities and herders in parts of Benue State, with residents calling for decisive action to safeguard their farmlands as the planting season approaches.
