Onuminya Innocent
The Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, AWPUF, has accused Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of abandoning Agatu Local Government Area to the mercy of armed herders, saying claims that the area has been “reclaimed” are far from the truth.
The group was reacting to a report published in Idoma Voice Newspaper on August 5, 2026, headlined _“We Have Reclaimed Agatu From Armed Herders”which was credited to the Agatu Local Government Council Chairman, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh.
In a statement issued in Agatu and signed by its President, Comrade Ebi Lucky, AWPUF said the position of the council chairman does not reflect the reality on ground. According to the forum, 15 villages sacked by repeated attacks remain deserted.
“To set the record straight, the fifteen affected villages have not returned to their ancestral homes and farming activities are not taking place in those areas as claimed by the Agatu Local Government Council Chairman,” the statement read.
AWPUF further alleged that since the attacks began, Governor Alia has neither visited Agatu nor made any public comment on the killings. The forum described the silence as an indication that the LGA has been left on its own.
“Let us ask Mr. Governor: Is Agatu not part of the State? When did His Excellency ever comment on the killings of our dear people of Agatu since the consistent attacks by Fulani herders?” the group queried.
The forum said it has, since 2024, repeatedly called for the deployment of security operatives to Agatu Western Zone, but alleged that all appeals to the state government have been ignored. It claimed the only intervention was short-lived.
“It is pertinent to inform the public that the 25 soldiers deployed to Agatu Western Zone were redeployed back to Obagaji, the Agatu Local Government headquarters, within two weeks of their deployment,” AWPUF stated.
Despite its criticism of the state government, the forum commended the Agatu Council Chairman, Ambassador Ejeh, for facilitating the siting of an Army Battalion in the area. AWPUF said the move would strengthen security and boost community confidence.
The group lauded the chairman for what it described as “proactive steps that have brought relative peace to parts of the local government” and for providing logistics support to security agencies. It noted that hosting the battalion connects security to livelihood and could encourage displaced persons to return to their farms and markets.
While commending Chairman Ejeh, AWPUF urged the Benue State Government to take decisive action to end the killings and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons. “What we need are proactive measures to stop the incessant killings of our people. Crediting failed responsibility is not healthy in a true democratic setting,” Comrade Lucky said.