Peace Accord Fails, as Death Toll hits 159 in 40 Days
By Olikita Ekani
(Makurdi) Armed Fulani Militia on Saturday, May 17, 2025, opened fire on Agatu Christian tradesmen returning from Oweto Market.
Until this deadly attack, there had been no attack or killing by Fulani militia in Agatu County since the signing of a Peace Accord by Agatu elected officials and Fulani tribal leaders on Friday, May 3, 2025.
Fulani people, who constitute 7 percent of the nation’s demographic, are known widely as cattle herders and are linked to a complex, decades-long slaughter of Christian landholders in Nigeria, according to the International Committee on Nigeria.
Oweto precinct in Agatu County is an agrarian community and 98 percent Christian, located 64 miles (103km) northwest of Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, 113 miles (183km) south south of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and only separated from neighboring Nasarawa State by the River Benue.
This incident comes three weeks after a 48-hour ultimatum given to all Fulani ethnic groups in the county (Local Government Area) by Agatu County Chairman, Melvin Ejeh James to leave Agatu land. According to local sources in Agatu, the Fulani herders do not have permanent residence in Benue but by tradition they are seasonal visitors.
Melvin on Saturday, April 26, 2025, ordered Fulani to leave Agatu County within 48 hours following wanton destruction of farmlands and crops across several communities in the county
According to local sources interviewed by TruthNigeria in Agatu, one group of Fulani herders left the state by crossing the Benue River to neighboring Nasarawa State. Another group of Fulani men – well armed yet without herds of cattle – stayed in the county.
How 15 Christian Traders Were Murdered
Samuel Aboje Eleme, a survivor and an eyewitness, confirmed the killing of 15 persons in the tragic attack in a phone interview with TruthNigeria.
“We were heading to our various villages from Oweto Market in a wooden canoe that was carrying about 52 passengers through Abekoko stream after the closure of all business activities in the market,” Eleme said.
“At about 6:35 pm local time (17:35 GMT) between Okpokpolo and Ogwumongbo communities, we heard sporadic gunshots from different angles and a follow-up chanting of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (a slogan normally cited by Islamists when carrying out attacks worldwide),” Eleme went on to say.
“At least 15 of the passengers died instantly while many sustained life-threatening injuries and are receiving medical treatments at various health centers in Agatu local government (County),” he added.
“I was also shot on one of my arms, I fell into the water and managed to maneuver my way by swimming to the opposite side of where the gunshots were coming from. I have been treated of my injury and discharged”, Aboje narrated.
Ochoche Stephen, a resident of Ogwumongbo and an eyewitness told TruthNigeria, “the Fulani Militia who murdered 15 of our people on Saturday could be on a revenge mission after accusing residents of Ekwo community of rustling their cattle.”
“Fulani herdsmen had on Friday, a day before the attack, accused residents of Ekwo community of rustling their cows. But is a well-known fact that Fulani usually come up with such trumped-up allegations as an excuse to attack our people. This could be one of their fabrications,” Ochoche said
Security Expert Speaks
The attack was carried out by armed Fulani militia who were speaking Fulfude, Hausa (the common languages spoken by Fulani ethnic group in Nigeria), according to John Anthony Ikwulono, a security expert and former Deputy Chairman of Agatu County.
“At about 5:30 pm local time (16:30 GMT) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, I received a distress call from Usha Community in Agatu local Government (county) about a sudden gathering of Fulani Militia at Ogwumongbo community, which was a sign of imminent attack but where and who they would attack were unknown. I posted the Security alert on my Facebook handle, drawing the attention of Governor Hyacinth Alia and security agencies, but no action was taken to prevent the planned attack,” Ikwulono told Truth Nigeria.
“Just about 7:40 pm (18:40 GMT) when I was about to retire to my bed, I received another call from the same source that 15 of the Agatu traders returning from Oweto Market were shot by Fulani terrorists along Abekoko stream. The victims were from Omagede, Okpokpolo, Ogwumongbo, Usha and Oshigbudu communities in Agatu local council (county)s,” Ikwulono said.
Agatu County Chairman Speaks
When asked to confirm the attack and killing in a phone interview with TruthNigeria, Agatu County Chairman Melvin James Ejeh said “yes, there was an attack, leading to the death of some residents, but I can’t make any further statement now because I am bereaved”, Melvin said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command, Mrs. Catherine Anene said, “the Command has not been briefed.”
50 Benue Communities Displaced by Herdsmen Encroachments
Fulani terrorists are responsible for the Displacement of 50 communities in 5 counties of the State, with Gwer- West as the worst hit as 15 out of 15 Council Wards in the county are under Fulani occupation, according to statistics released by Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BNSEMA).
According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the Fulani marauders have caused more than 50,000 deaths in Nigeria during the last four years.
Fulani kill 159 Benue Residents in 40 Days
Fulani Ethnic Militia have killed 159 Christian Residents in Benue State in the last 40 days, according to Daily Trust.
· The massacres include: the killing of 72 Catholics on Holy week in Ukum and Logo Counties on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2025.
· Others include the killing of 7 Christian farmers on Thursday, April 24, 2025;
· The murder of 23 Christian residents in Guma, Ukum, Logo and Kwande between Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9, 2025
· the killing of 7 Christian residents in Buruku and Gwer-West counties on Monday, May, 12, 2025
· and the gruesome murder of 15 Agatu Christian Traders in Agatu County on Saturday, May 17, 2025
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter with TruthNigeria.
