The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon. Melvin James Ejeh, has annulled the 2017 grazing pact that allowed herders to operate on Adapati Island and has directed all armed herders to vacate Agatu communities without delay.
The decision comes amid a resurgence of violent incidents in the area.
In a statement released on Thursday, the 8th of January, 2026, Ejeh revealed that Agatu Local Government Area has recently experienced renewed attacks, allegedly perpetrated by armed herders who reportedly moved into the area following military air operations in parts of Sokoto State.
He explained that the assaults have resulted in the deaths of women and children, left several residents injured, and led to reported cases of sexual violence. Homes and farmlands have also been destroyed, forcing hundreds of people to flee their communities.
Labeling the situation a serious humanitarian and security emergency, the council chairman strongly denounced the violence, stressing that the ongoing bloodshed in Agatu could no longer be tolerated.
“In view of the persistent violations and escalating violence, I hereby announce the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adapati Island for grazing,” he said.
Ejeh noted that the agreement, which was approved under a former sole administrator, was not carried out in good faith and had brought severe hardship to the people of Agatu. He therefore declared it “null and void” and instructed all armed herders to vacate Agatu land, maintaining that no portion of the local government area belongs to herders.
“Agatu is an agrarian community, and our farmlands must be protected to guarantee food security and the livelihoods of our people,” he stated.
The chairman appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently reinforce security in the area with additional military and police personnel, describing the existing security presence as insufficient.
He applauded Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his efforts toward restoring peace across the state, and also commended security outfits such as Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Anyam Nyor, the Nigeria Police, the DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their ongoing operations in Agatu.
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Nonetheless, Ejeh emphasized that the recent influx of armed herders made it necessary to deploy more troops to eliminate criminal elements from the affected communities.
He disclosed that some suspects had already been apprehended in connection with the attacks and cautioned that anyone found supporting or facilitating insecurity in the area would face prosecution.
Ejeh urged residents to remain calm, alert and law-abiding, assuring them that government authorities and security agencies were taking steps to restore peace.
“The position of the Agatu people is clear: at this time, no herder is welcome on Agatu land,” Ejeh said.