Terrorists Flock to Benue After Sokoto Military Strikes, Warns Benue LG Chairman
Terrorists Flock to Benue After Sokoto Military Strikes, Warns Benue LG Chairman
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Ambassador James Melvin Ejeh, has raised the alarm over what he described as the influx of terrorists fleeing military operations in northern Nigeria into communities under his jurisdiction.
According to Ejeh, the development followed recent airstrikes carried out by United States forces in collaboration with Nigerian security agencies on terrorist hideouts in parts of Sokoto State, after which armed elements reportedly dispersed into neighbouring states.
“Agatu Local Government Area is presently experiencing a renewed wave of violent attacks, which we firmly believe is a fallout of recent military airstrikes in the Sokoto axis,” he said.
In a statement released in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Ejeh said the suspected terrorists had launched violent attacks on Agatu communities, resulting in deaths, injuries, sexual violence, destruction of farmlands and homes and the displacement of residents.
He added, “These armed elements have infiltrated our communities and unleashed terror on innocent and defenceless people.”
The council chairman, who also serves as Benue State’s Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), described the situation as a growing humanitarian and security crisis, noting that residents were being attacked on their ancestral lands without provocation.
As part of measures to address the crisis, Ejeh announced the revocation of a 2017 grazing agreement that allowed herders access to Adepati Island, declaring it invalid.
“That agreement was never implemented in good faith and has caused enormous harm to the Agatu people. Consequently, it is hereby null and void,” he stated, while also ordering armed herders to vacate Agatu land.
Ejeh called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen military and police presence in the area, saying current deployments were inadequate.
He also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia and security forces for ongoing operations, warning that anyone found supporting insecurity in Agatu would face the full weight of the law.
