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A lawmaker representing Agatu Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, has raised serious concerns that the 2027 general elections may not be conducted in parts of his constituency if the prevailing insecurity is not urgently addressed.
Edoh, who spoke with journalists in Makurdi on Monday, lamented that persistent attacks attributed to suspected armed herders have forced many rural settlements to be abandoned, with residents relocating to Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area. He noted that several hinterland communities have been deserted due to fear of further attacks.
“As I speak to you now, in Obagaji (headquarters of Agatu), for instance, we have deployment of Air Force, soldiers, special police squad and Civil Defence personnel,” Edoh said. “Despite the presence of these security agents, all the people from the hinterlands have relocated to the LG headquarters in Obagaji. Some of those villages in the hinterland have been deserted.”
The lawmaker further lamented that farming and fishing the major sources of livelihood in the area have been severely crippled. Basic infrastructure such as schools, markets, and primary healthcare centres have also been destroyed in the affected communities.
“My fear is that if this attack continues unchecked, it will be difficult for the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the 2027 general elections in the areas, because they are not accessible right now,” he added.
Edoh commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for directing security agencies to flush out criminal elements reportedly operating in the forests of Agatu. He expressed optimism that sustained military action could help restore peace and enable displaced persons to return to their homes.
He also appealed to both the federal and state governments to include Agatu in ongoing housing support schemes for internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting that many families have been unable to return home despite years of displacement.
The lawmaker’s remarks come weeks after hundreds of IDPs sheltering in Obagaji protested prolonged stays in camps and called on authorities to restore security so they can return to their ancestral homes and farmlands.
The situation in Agatu remains a major concern, as continued insecurity not only threatens lives and livelihoods but also poses a serious challenge to democratic processes and development in the area.
