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Agatu youths protest killings, block Oweto–Otukpo highway in Benue State demanding urgent government action.
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Protesters accuse suspected armed herders of attacks that have displaced hundreds of residents for over two years.
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Demonstrators call on the government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hyacinth Alia to deploy more security to Agatu communities.
Hundreds of youths from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday staged a protest along the Oweto–Otukpo highway, blocking the road near Oweto Bridge to demand decisive action over the continued killings of residents by suspected armed herders.
The protesters, operating under the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, began the demonstration on Friday and sustained the blockade for several hours, causing traffic disruption and drawing attention to the worsening insecurity in the area.
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Carrying placards with messages such as “Stop Agatu killings now” and “Save Agatu now,” the demonstrators urged both the federal and state governments to intervene urgently and restore peace in the troubled communities.
Addressing the protesters, the National Youth President of the forum, Ebi Lucky, said persistent attacks by suspected militias had forced many residents to flee their ancestral homes.
He disclosed that several displaced persons have been living in makeshift shelters along the banks of the Oweto River for more than two years without access to basic necessities such as food, schools and healthcare.
Lucky explained that the protest was organised to draw the attention of the federal government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the hardship faced by displaced residents and the continued attacks on communities in Agatu West.
He also criticised the administration of Hyacinth Alia and the Agatu Local Government chairman, Melvin Ejeh, accusing them of failing to respond adequately to the plight of the affected communities.
The protesters further appealed to the member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ojema Ojotu, and the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Patrick Abba Moro, urging them to take urgent steps to address the crisis.
Agatu, located in southern Benue State and largely inhabited by the Idoma ethnic group, depends mainly on farming and fishing for livelihood.
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One of the victims, Mercy Danladi, recounted how her husband, sister and cousin were killed in separate attacks on Ochelefu village between 2013 and 2025.
She appealed to the federal government to provide adequate security so that displaced residents can safely return to their homes and farmlands.
Another displaced resident, Ajumi John, said more than 200 internally displaced persons are currently living in makeshift huts close to the riverbank after fleeing their communities.
“Our community has been taken over by the militia. We have nowhere to go,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Agatu Division, Dennis Asawa, who monitored security during the protest, commended the demonstrators for conducting the protest peacefully and assured them that their concerns had been relayed to the authorities.
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Dandy Adoba, alleged that more than 15 villages in Agatu West have been overrun by armed herders since 2013, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of residents.
He called on the federal government to deploy more security personnel to the affected communities to enable displaced residents return safely to their homes.