Agatu youths protest, shut down Oweto–Otukpo highway over Benue killings

Hundreds of youths from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday staged a protest, blocking the Oweto–Otukpo highway at the foot of the Oweto Bridge to demand urgent action over the continued killings of their kinsmen by suspected armed herders.

The protesters, who gathered under the aegis of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, from Friday, barricaded the busy highway for several hours, causing a long traffic gridlock and drawing attention to the worsening insecurity in their communities.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Agatu killings now,” “Save Agatu now,” and “We do not need Fulani in Agatu,” the youths called on the Federal Government and the Benue State government to urgently intervene and restore peace to the area.

Speaking during the protest, the National Youth President of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Ebi Lucky, lamented that residents of several communities had been forced to flee their ancestral homes following repeated attacks by suspected Fulani militias.

According to him, many displaced persons have been living in makeshift shelters along the Oweto riverbank for more than two years.

“Our people have been in this trouble for the past two and a half years. Many have left their ancestral homes and are now living here without shelter, food, schools or medical care,” he said.

Lucky explained that the protest was aimed at drawing the attention of the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the plight of the displaced residents and the continued attacks on communities in Agatu West.

He also accused the Hyacinth Alia administration and the Agatu Local Government chairman, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, of neglecting the affected communities.

“We have cried to the local government chairman and the state governor, but nobody has come to our aid. All we are demanding is peace in Agatu land and the opportunity to return to our farms,” he said.

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The youths equally called on the House of Representatives member representing the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State in the 10th National Assembly is Honourable Ojema Ojotu, and the Senator representing Zone C, Patrick Aba Moro, to take concrete steps to ameliorate the plight of the people.

They appealed to the Federal Government to deploy adequate security personnel to the affected communities, especially areas they described as porous entry points used by attackers.

Agatu, located in southern Benue State and predominantly inhabited by the Idoma people, is largely agrarian, with farming and fishing forming the major occupations of the residents.

One of the victims, Mrs Mercy Danladi, narrated how her husband, sister and cousin were killed during attacks on Ochelefu village between 2013 and 2025.

She urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently and provide security to enable residents to return to their homes and farms.

Another displaced resident, Ajumi John, said more than 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently taking refuge in makeshift shelters near the riverbank.

“Our community has been taken over by the militia. We have nowhere to go. When it rains, we cover the roofs of our huts made of sticks and grass with leather,” he said.

The protesters vowed to sustain the protest until authorities take concrete steps to end the killings and ensure the safe return of displaced residents to their communities.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, CSP Dennis Asawa, who supervised security during the protest, commended the demonstrators for conducting themselves peacefully.

He assured that the grievances of the protesters had been communicated to the relevant authorities.

“I appreciate the protesters for organising themselves in a peaceful manner. Their message has been conveyed to the authorities, and appropriate actions will be taken,” he said.

Also speaking, the National Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr. Dandy Adoba, alleged that over 15 villages in Agatu West had been sacked by armed herders since 2013.

He said hundreds of residents had been killed during the attacks, adding that security forces stationed in nearby areas had yet to be deployed to the worst-hit communities.

“Our people are dying almost on a daily basis. We are appealing to the Federal Government to deploy security personnel so that our people can return home,” he said.