By Ekani Olikita
The Chairman of Agatu County of Benue State, Melvin James Ejeh, has formally revoked a nine-year-old Peace Agreement with Fulani herders
Melvin also has ordered all armed Fulani Ethnic Militia to vacate Agatu land with immediate effect, citing escalating insecurity and persistent attacks on local communities.
The original peace agreement was signed on January 6, 2017, under the leadership of then Agatu Chairman, Hon. Michael Umoru Inalegwu, between Agatu communities and the Fulani ethnic group led by Ardo Fulani Loko. As part of the deal, Adapati Island in Agatu was ceded to Fulani herders for open grazing in a bid to halt violent attacks, kidnappings and killings that had plagued the area since 2013.
A second peace accord was also signed on January 3, 2025, between the current Agatu administration, represented by Ejeh and the Fulani group represented by Mohammed Risku, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)
However, despite what residents describe as “painful sacrifices” made in the interest of peace, armed Fulani militia have continued attacks on Agatu communities, resulting in deaths, displacement, destruction of farmlands and the occupation of large portions of Agatu County.
Agatu, a farming, fishing and predominantly Christian County (chiefly Catholic), is located 51 miles Southwest of Makurdi, the Benue State Capital and only separated from Loko Community in Nasarawa State to the North by River Benue.
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 caused more than 50,000 deaths in Nigeria during the last four years.
Chairman Issues Revocation Order
In a press statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, following an emergency peace meeting, Chairman Ejeh announced the revocation of the 2017 agreement and issued a clear directive for armed herders to leave Agatu land.
Ejeh said Agatu was experiencing renewed violence allegedly linked to armed herders fleeing military operations in parts of northern Nigeria. According to him, these armed elements have infiltrated Agatu communities, unleashing attacks that have left women and children dead, many injured, homes destroyed, farmlands ruined, and hundreds displaced.
Describing the situation as a “grave humanitarian and security crisis,” the chairman condemned the continued bloodshed and stated that the agreement granting access to Adapati Island was never implemented in good faith.
“The agreement was entered into under the guise of peaceful coexistence but at the expense of the Agatu people,” Ejeh said, declaring it “null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
He stressed that no portion of Agatu land belongs to herders and reaffirmed that Agatu is an agrarian community whose farmlands must be protected to ensure food security and livelihoods.
Call for Federal Intervention
Ejeh filed an urgent appeal to the federal government and security agencies to reinforce military and police staffing in Agatu, noting that existing security arrangements will not contain the current threats.
He commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for ongoing peace efforts, as well as security agencies including Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Anyam Nyor, the Nigeria Police, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their roles in maintaining relative stability.
However, he warned that the recent influx of Fulani ethnic militia requires increased troop deployment and decisive action to flush out criminal elements.
The chairman also disclosed that security agencies have arrested suspects accused of collaborating with armed groups and vowed that anyone aiding insecurity would face prosecution.
“The position of the Agatu people is clear: no herder is welcome on Agatu land at this time,” Ejeh stated, adding that any future engagement would only occur after broad consultations with traditional rulers and stakeholders.
Confirmation and Reactions
Ejeh confirmed to TruthNigeria on Jan. 9 the revocation of the peace agreement, describing the 2017 deal as “an error against the interest of our people.”
“The Fulani currently in Agatu are terrorists; they are well-armed and must leave our land immediately,” he said.
Apa/Agatu Federal Lawmaker Speaks
The lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Pastor Ojotu Ojema, also condemned the violence, describing the expulsion order as a collective decision of the people.
“All we need is peace and security. Anyone against this should leave our land,” Ojema said.
Local youth leader Iyu Goche, from Odejo community, said residents can no longer access their farms due to the presence of armed herders.
“They uprooted our crops, fed their cattle, and stole everything. Let them leave so we can return and harvest what remains,” he said.
Agatu residents continue to appeal for lasting peace, security and the restoration of their livelihoods.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
