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Hundreds of young people from Agatu Local Government Area in southern Benue State staged a peaceful protest on Saturday along the Owoteto–Otukpo highway near the Owoteto Bridge, blocking the busy route for several hours to demand urgent action against ongoing killings and insecurity in their communities.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, carried placards with messages such as “Stop Agatu killings now,” “Save Agatu now,” and “We do not need Fulani in Agatu.” They accused suspected armed Fulani militias of overrunning more than 15 villages in Agatu West since 2013, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of residents and the forced displacement of many others.
National Youth President of the forum, Mr. Ebi Lucky, told journalists that repeated attacks had driven residents from their ancestral homes, leaving them in makeshift huts along the banks of the Owoteto River for over two and a half years. He described dire living conditions, with no proper shelter, food, schools, or medical care, and criticized both the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Agatu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, for alleged neglect.
Another displaced resident, Ajumi John, revealed that more than 200 internally displaced persons are currently sheltering in temporary structures near the riverbank. A victim, Mrs. Mercy Danladi, recounted losing her husband, sister, and cousin in separate attacks on Ochelelefu village between 2013 and 2025. She appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate security to enable displaced residents to safely return to their homes and farmlands.
National Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Dandy Adoba, claimed that security forces stationed nearby have not been deployed to the worst-hit communities despite the scale of violence. He described the situation as one where “our people are dying almost on a daily basis” and called for the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy more personnel to seal porous entry points used by attackers.
The protesters urged federal lawmakers representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ojema Ojototu, and the Senator for Benue South Senatorial District, Sen. Patrick Aba Moro, to take concrete steps to address the suffering of their constituents. They vowed to sustain the demonstration until authorities implement decisive measures to halt the killings and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
The Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, CSP Dennis Asawa, who monitored the protest, commended the demonstrators for conducting themselves peacefully. He assured that their message had been conveyed to the relevant authorities and that appropriate actions would be taken.
Agatu, predominantly inhabited by the Idoma people, depends heavily on farming and fishing for livelihood. Residents say the persistent attacks have severely disrupted these activities, deepening poverty and humanitarian hardship in the area.
