Pix: Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia

By Samuel Ike, Abuja

The Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum (AWPUF) has accused Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of neglecting Agatu Local Government Area amid persistent attacks by armed herders, insisting that claims that the area has been fully reclaimed are inaccurate.

The group made the allegation while reacting to a report published by Idoma Voice on August 5, 2026, titled “We Have Reclaimed Agatu from Armed Herders,” which was attributed to the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh.

In a statement issued in Agatu and signed by its President, Comrade Ebi Lucky, AWPUF maintained that the chairman’s remarks did not reflect the realities on the ground. According to the forum, at least 15 communities displaced by recurring attacks remain abandoned, with residents yet to return to their homes.

The group stated that the affected communities are still largely deserted and that farming activities have not resumed in many of the areas as suggested in the report. It stressed that insecurity continues to prevent displaced residents from returning to their ancestral lands.

AWPUF further alleged that Governor Alia has neither visited Agatu nor publicly addressed the killings since the attacks intensified. The forum described the governor’s silence as evidence that the local government had been left to fend for itself in the face of ongoing security challenges.

Questioning the state government’s commitment to the area, the group asked whether Agatu was no longer considered part of Benue State and wondered why there had been no official response from the governor regarding the repeated attacks and loss of lives.

The forum also revealed that it had repeatedly appealed to the state government since 2024 for the deployment of additional security personnel to the Agatu Western Zone. However, it claimed that the requests received little attention and that the few security measures introduced were not sustained.

According to AWPUF, a contingent of 25 soldiers deployed to the area was withdrawn and redeployed to Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area, barely two weeks after their arrival, leaving vulnerable communities exposed once again.

Despite its criticism of the state government, the forum praised the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh, for facilitating the establishment of an Army Battalion in the area. It described the development as a significant step toward strengthening security and restoring public confidence.

The group commended the council chairman for what it termed proactive leadership and sustained support for security agencies. It expressed optimism that the presence of the battalion would help improve safety, revive economic activities, and encourage displaced residents to return to their farms, markets, and communities.

AWPUF called on the Benue State Government to take more decisive measures to end the violence, protect lives and property, and create conditions for the safe return of displaced persons. The forum emphasized that lasting peace would require concrete actions rather than declarations that do not reflect the realities faced by affected communities.

Comrade Lucky concluded by urging authorities to prioritize the security and welfare of Agatu residents, noting that effective leadership must be measured by tangible efforts to stop the killings and restore normalcy across the local government area.

The Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum (AWPUF) has accused Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of neglecting Agatu Local Government Area amid persistent attacks by armed herders, insisting that claims that the area has been fully reclaimed are inaccurate.

The group made the allegation while reacting to a report published by Idoma Voice on August 5, 2026, titled “We Have Reclaimed Agatu from Armed Herders,” which was attributed to the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh.

In a statement issued in Agatu and signed by its President, Comrade Ebi Lucky, AWPUF maintained that the chairman’s remarks did not reflect the realities on the ground. According to the forum, at least 15 communities displaced by recurring attacks remain abandoned, with residents yet to return to their homes.

The group stated that the affected communities are still largely deserted and that farming activities have not resumed in many of the areas as suggested in the report. It stressed that insecurity continues to prevent displaced residents from returning to their ancestral lands.

AWPUF further alleged that Governor Alia has neither visited Agatu nor publicly addressed the killings since the attacks intensified. The forum described the governor’s silence as evidence that the local government had been left to fend for itself in the face of ongoing security challenges.

Questioning the state government’s commitment to the area, the group asked whether Agatu was no longer considered part of Benue State and wondered why there had been no official response from the governor regarding the repeated attacks and loss of lives.

The forum also revealed that it had repeatedly appealed to the state government since 2024 for the deployment of additional security personnel to the Agatu Western Zone. However, it claimed that the requests received little attention and that the few security measures introduced were not sustained.

According to AWPUF, a contingent of 25 soldiers deployed to the area was withdrawn and redeployed to Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area, barely two weeks after their arrival, leaving vulnerable communities exposed once again.

Despite its criticism of the state government, the forum praised the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh, for facilitating the establishment of an Army Battalion in the area. It described the development as a significant step toward strengthening security and restoring public confidence.

The group commended the council chairman for what it termed proactive leadership and sustained support for security agencies. It expressed optimism that the presence of the battalion would help improve safety, revive economic activities, and encourage displaced residents to return to their farms, markets, and communities.

AWPUF called on the Benue State Government to take more decisive measures to end the violence, protect lives and property, and create conditions for the safe return of displaced persons. The forum emphasized that lasting peace would require concrete actions rather than declarations that do not reflect the realities faced by affected communities.

Comrade Lucky concluded by urging authorities to prioritize the security and welfare of Agatu residents, noting that effective leadership must be measured by tangible efforts to stop the killings and restore normalcy across the local government area.