Cattle Breeders Agree to Stand Down the Attacks
By Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani
(Makurdi) The endless attacks, kidnappings and killings by Fulani terrorists in Agatu Local Governance Area (also called County) in the Middle Belt state of Benue are showing signs of downward trend, according to Melvin James Ejeh, the new County Chairman told TruthNigeria.
The carnage in Agatu was orchestrated by Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) and began 11 years ago, precisely on May 5, 2013, resulting in the death of more than 25,000 inhabitants and displacement of more than 100,000 people and destruction of properties worth billions of Naira according to Pastor Ojotu Ojema, the Federal Lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly in an interview with TruthNigeria
The Fulani, a group known across West Africa for cattle-herding and involvement in regional jihad wars, have been linked to thousands of massacres in Nigeria. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the Fulani marauders have been responsible for 50,000 deaths in Nigeria during the last four years.
Melvin, since his Inauguration as the man in charge of the war- ravaged county on October 7, 2024 by the Governor of Benue State, the former Reverend Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia, tells TruthNigeria he has hit the ground running to the lingering, attacks, kidnappings and killings in Agatu.
Melvin started by setting up a security meeting with the Defence Headquarters and led his colleagues under the umbrella of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), (Association of County Chairmen), Benue State to pay a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarter Abuja on Wednesday, October, 162024, during which Gen Musa was briefed on security challenges in Agatu and other counties.
Melvin followed it up with another Peace and Security Meeting, involving leaders of Agatu, Fulani from Benue and neighbouring Igala and Ibira ethnic groups from Kogi and Nasarawa States respectively.
The meeting, on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Signature Hotel Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, was facilitated in collaboration with the Operation Whirl Stroke, (the Joint Military Taskforce) in charge of Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states coincided with another attack by Fulani terrorists.
During the meeting, leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), agreed to drop their weapons and embrace peace.
In line with his plan of ensuring a total Peace- and Security Agreement in Agatu, Melvin on Saturday, November 9, 2024 convened a security meeting to settle a long border dispute between Opatani and Omagede communities in Omala county of Kogi State, which was spilling over into Agatu communities.
Hon Edibo Ameh Mark, Chairman of Omala county, expressed gratitude to Hon Melvin and assured him of total collaboration and commitment to restore long-lasting peace to the border communities of the two states
Promising Actions
TruthNigeria has documented some of the positives results of the Chairman’s relentless effort to restore long-lasting peace and security in Agatu.
For example, 13 of the Fulani terrorists who attacked Egwuma in Agatu County on Saturday, October 24, 2024 were arrested by Naval Patrol Team of Operation Whirl Stroke the next day, October 27, 2024, while crossing from Egwuma to Loko in Nasarawa State.
According to TruthNigeria in its report of October 29 edition, the arrest is a major breakthrough and a turning point as no such feat was recorded in the 11-year fight against Fulani terrorism in Agatu county.
Another sign of positive result from Melvin’s efforts is that there has been no further attack on Agatu County by Fulani since the last attack on Egwuma Community on Saturday, October 26, 2024
Findings also reveal that Fulani Militia who occupied Agatu Riverine communities of Ogwumogbo, Ejima’Gega, Ejima’Gochi, Akile, Olagbani, Olajemachi, and Okwutanobe have left the communities, paving way for the return of the inhabitants.
Peace and Security will be restored, Chairman vows
Melvin James Ejeh, center in white, Agatu County Chairman with Army Officers and Peace Committee members.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, the new Chairman of Agatu County vowed to restore total peace and security in all the communities in the county.
“In collaboration with Security agencies, my topmost plan as the council chairman, is to return Agatu back to the era where one could move to anywhere both night and day without any fear of attack, kidnapping or killing,” Melvin said.
“Fulani must return back to their past when they were carrying only sticks and living in peace with Agatu [people],” he went on to say.
“Agatu should not rustle Fulani cows, and Fulani should not encroach onto Agatu farms, attack, kidnap or kill any Agatu inhabitant,” he said.
“I am a Peace and Security Expert, I have been an Intermediary between the military and civilians, restoring peace and security in so many places in Nigeria. I will apply such principle in my fatherland,” Melvin vowed.
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are Conflict Reporters with TruthNigeria and are from Benue State.
