Agatu youths block Oweto–Otukpo highway, protest killings in Benue

Hundreds of youths from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday blocked the Oweto–Otukpo highway, protesting persistent attacks and killings allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders in their communities.

 

The demonstrators, under the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, staged the protest near the Oweto Bridge, causing heavy traffic congestion along the busy route.

 

The youths carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Agatu killings now,” “Save Agatu now,” and “We do not need Fulani in Agatu,” while calling on the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to take urgent steps to end the violence.

 

Addressing the protesters, the National Youth President of the forum, Ebi Lucky, said repeated attacks by suspected militias had forced many residents to abandon their ancestral homes.

 

According to him, several displaced residents have been living in temporary shelters along the banks of the Oweto River 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 said the protest was organised to draw the attention of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to the plight of displaced residents and the continued attacks in Agatu West communities.

 

He also accused the Benue State Government and the Agatu Local Government leadership of neglecting the affected communities.

 

“All we are demanding is peace in Agatu land and the opportunity to return to our farms,” he said.

 

The protesters also appealed to the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ojema Ojotu, and the senator representing Benue South, Patrick Abba Moro, to take urgent action to address the crisis.

 

They further called on the Federal Government to deploy additional security personnel to vulnerable communities, particularly areas they described as porous entry points used by attackers.

 

Agatu, located in southern Benue State and predominantly inhabited by the Idoma people, relies largely on farming and fishing as major sources of livelihood.

 

One displaced resident, Mercy Danladi, said she lost her husband, sister and cousin in separate attacks on Ochelefu village between 2013 and 2025.

 

She urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security to enable displaced residents to return to their homes and farmlands.

 

Another resident, Ajumi John, said more than 200 internally displaced persons are currently living in makeshift huts along the riverbank.

 

“Our community has been taken over by the militia. We have nowhere to go,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, CSP Dennis Asawa, who monitored security during the protest, commended the demonstrators for maintaining peace.

 

“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, Dandy Adoba, claimed that more than 15 villages in Agatu West have been overrun by armed herders since 2013, leaving hundreds of residents dead.

 

He urged the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to enable displaced communities return safely to their homes.