‘Security Agencies Arrest Our Residents but Allow Armed Fulani Terrorists to Remain’ — Residents
By Ekani Olikita
Residents of Agatu County (Local Governance Area) in Benue State have raised an alarm over armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) occupying communities three months after a formal Relocation Order.
On January 8, 2026, the Agatu Local Government Chairman, Melvin James Ejeh, formally revoked a previously signed peace agreement with Fulani leaders and issued an immediate exit order, citing escalating insecurity. The decision followed a high-level security meeting held in Obagaji, the council headquarters, involving traditional rulers, political office holders, religious leaders and community representatives.
Despite the revocation and clear directive, residents say the armed militia have remained in Agatu, continuing attacks on communities, destroying farmlands, and killing inhabitants.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, is an agrarian region with a population of over 4.3 million people, who are predominantly Christian. Popularly known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” the state produces staple crops such as rice, yam, cassava, maize and beans. However, since 2013, Benue has suffered repeated violent attacks attributed to armed Muslim Fulani Ethnic Militia, resulting in thousands of deaths and massive displacement.
According to visiting United States congressmen led by Rep. Riley Moore (WVA), approximately 600,000 Christians are currently languishing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.
Agatu, a predominantly Christian farming and fishing county located about 51 miles Southwest of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, shares a boundary with Nasarawa State across the River Benue. Clerics and local leaders say the area has borne a disproportionate share of the violence. The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo reports that Fulani jihadists have killed more than 25,000 Christians across Benue South’s nine counties, with more than 15,000 deaths and more than 100,000 displacements recorded in Agatu alone, according to Apa/Agatu Federal Lawmaker, Ojotu Ojema.
Across Nigeria, Fulani militant groups have been linked to widespread violence. The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa estimates that more than 50,000 people have been killed in Fulani-related attacks in the past four years.
Residents Decry Security Inaction
Community members have strongly criticized security agencies for what they describe as a failure to enforce the exit order and protect indigenous populations.
Lucky Idoko, a resident of Okokolo community in Agatu East, accused security personnel of compromise.
“Our people unanimously agreed during the last security meeting that Fulani ethnic militia, herdsmen in disguise, must leave our land. They rejected the order, but what is even more shocking is that security agencies have refused to enforce it,” Idoko told TruthNigeria. “This makes us believe they are compromised.”
Another resident, Ochoche Adah from Oshigbudu in Agatu Central, described what he called a systematic occupation of Agatu communities.
“Virtually all our communities are under Fulani occupation. The terrorists move freely with automatic weapons like AK-47, uproot our crops and feed their cattle with them,” he said. “They speak Fulfulde and chant ‘Allahu Akbar’ whenever they attack, like Boko Haram, ISWAP and Islamic State fighters, he told TruthNigeria.”
Adah alleged that the attacks are part of a broader agenda to seize land and impose Islamic rule.
“They are bringing more of their people to take over our land, establish Sharia Law and subjugate us. We have repeatedly reported to the military and police, but nothing has changed,” he said, calling for international intervention.
Agatu Residents Petition Security Agencies
Agatu residents, under the umbrella of the Agatu National Youth Council (ANYC), have formally petitioned security agencies deployed to the county, accusing them of selective enforcement of the law h
In a petition addressed to the Benue State Commissioner of Police and signed by ANYC President, Daniel Edoh Ochokwunu, the group accused security agencies of arresting residents while allowing armed Fulani militia to operate freely.
“We, the residents, are being arrested for speaking the truth,” the petition stated, alleging that security forces have failed in their constitutional duty to protect indigenous communities.
Ochokwunu in a phone interview with TruthNigeria said that the situation has left residents frustrated and fearful.
“As I speak to you, our overall chairman, Silas Oloche, is languishing in DSS detention for standing up to protect our people,” he said. “They arrest Christian locals who own the land but allow armed muslim Fulani terrorists to move freely with automatic weapons. Just few days ago, three of our young men were arrested without justification.”
Agatu Council Chairman Responds
Responding to allegations of security compromise and the continued presence of armed militia, Agatu County Chairman Melvin James Ejeh acknowledged the gravity of the situation but insisted that security agencies were addressing it.
“Truly, the Fulani who are refusing to leave our land are armed militia here for a conquest mission,” Ejeh said to TruthNigeria. “I want to assure you that they will soon be dislodged. Security agencies are doing their best and only arresting individuals found wanting”, Ejeh said.
Residents, however, insist that immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods, warning that continued inaction could deepen tensions in the already volatile area.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
