Youths from Agatu West in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday, March 13, staged a peaceful protest and blocked a major highway over persistent attacks on their communities.
The protest comes hours after 15 cashew farmers were killed in Ojantele community in Apa Local Government Area of the state by suspected herdsmen, it was gathered on Saturday, March 14.
The protesters, who blocked the Oweto–Otukpo highway at the foot of the Oweto Bridge, called on the federal, state and local government to urgently deploy security personnel to the area to contain this critical situation.
They also alleged that farmers and residents in several communities had been subjected to secret killings, young girls are raped, and burning of houses by unidentified attackers.
They said the situation had forced many villagers to flee their homes, thereby leaving farmlands deserted and residents living in fear.
Speaking during the protest, the National Youth President of Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr Ebi Lucky, said the community had suffered repeated attacks since 2013.
According to him, the situation has worsened in recent years with continued killings that go unreported.
“In the last two years, there have been secret killings of our people which the media do not even get access to report.
“That is why we are protesting to draw the attention of the Federal Government, especially as our representatives appear to be paying deaf ears to our cries,” he said.
Also speaking, the General Secretary of the Agatu West Peace and Unity Forum, Mr Dandy Adoba, alleged that some villages in the Agatu West zone had been taken over by gunmen.
Adoba said hundreds of residents had been killed, while many others were displaced from their homes.
“We have taken our complaints to the local government authorities several times and were promised that security would be deployed, but nothing has been done.
“Security personnel are stationed in nearby communities, yet they have not been deployed to the affected areas.
“As we speak, our people are dying almost on a daily basis,” he said.
He appealed for collaboration between the Federal, State and the Local Governments in deploying security personnel to vulnerable communities and major routes used by attackers.
“We want displaced people to return to their homes, but that cannot happen without adequate security,” he said.
Similarly, President of Agatu Youth Stakeholders Forum, Mr Umar Muhammad, said the attacks had displaced a lot of people out of their communities, leaving many residents struggling to survive.
“Our farmers can no longer go to their farms and many families are now living in very difficult conditions.
“This has led to hardship and insecurity among young people who have been forced out of their communities,” he said.
Muhammad urged the government to strengthen security in boundary communities from where attackers allegedly gain access to the area.
Another protester, Mr Oyigoche Gideon, said some houses were burnt during attacks, leaving many residents without shelter.
“Our farmers can no longer go to their farms because the moment they move a short distance from the village, they risk being attacked,’’ he stated.
A victim of one of the attacks, Mr Danla Jonah, who said he narrowly escaped death after being injured with a machete, appealed to the Federal Government to assist the community and improve security.
“I cannot walk properly again because of the injury I sustained during the attack. We need the government to protect our people,” he said.
