Benue Herders Crisis: Documents Reveal How Agatu Land Was Secretly Ceded to ‘Indigenous’ Fulani Herdsmen

The decades-long conflicts between Fulani herders and the residents of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State may now be explained by new evidence.

A portion of Agatu land was covertly given to Fulani herders in 2017, according to documents obtained exclusively. Some claim that this action has increased ongoing conflict and bloodshed in the area.

Communities in Agatu have been at battle with ranchers over farmland grazing for many years.

Reports state that hundreds have been relocated, many have died, and farms have been devastated as a result of the war.

The violence has severely impacted a number of communities, including Aila, Okokolo, Obagaji, Adagbo, Akwu, Odugbehon, and Odejo.

Residents of the impacted areas have repeatedly opposed herder activities, claiming that their crops and means of subsistence are constantly under danger.

The 2017 surrender of land at Adapati Island, which has been mentioned by both sides as a cause of contention, is a deeper layer that the recently discovered documents have uncovered.

Capt. I.A. Yusuf, the Agatu LGA’s sole administrator at the time, is said to have overseen the deal, which was signed on January 6, 2017.

Among other things, it said that “Adapati Island would be open only for grazing, not residence.” On the island, only “indigenous Fulani” with valid identification were permitted to graze.

Despite these requirements, the pact has drawn harsh criticism for being exclusive and private, with no involvement from the local community or traditional authorities.

The arrangement has been rejected by Chief Echechofu Ogwola, the head of the Ayele/Igagishu Clan, which has jurisdiction over Adapati area.

The clan, represented by the legal company E-O Samson & Partners, confirmed that the land ceding was done without agreement, rendering it unlawful under customary law.

It stated: “Our client, the Adapati community, or any legitimate traditional authority were never consulted, invited, or involved prior to the alleged ceding or opening of Adapati communal land to Fulani herdsmen for grazing purposes.”

The land in dispute is customary community land that the Clan Head holds in trust for the benefit of the people. Any alleged agreement that affects such land without the proprietors’ knowledge, approval, or involvement is void and has no legal significance.

According to the firm, there have been several violations of the agreement, such as the demolition of indigenous homes and farmlands, grazing outside of Adapati Island on other community properties, and the use of machetes and firearms that have resulted in violent altercations.

The Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017, which went into effect on May 22, 2017, adds to the debate.

Important clauses include: Section 5: Grazing requires a gubernatorial permit; Adapati does not have one.

Nomadic herding is prohibited outside of approved pastures under Section 19.

The legal representatives of the clan have formally demanded:

“The January 6, 2017 agreement is immediately void.

“All grazing operations must immediately end, and herders, cattle, and unauthorized structures must be removed from Adapati land.” Compliance must be confirmed in writing within 30 days.

“Farmers and residents of Adapati and surrounding areas have suffered severe losses, economic hardship, environmental degradation, and insecurity as a result of the illegal grazing practices. The ongoing infringement of our client’s and his people’s property, possessory, and customary rights is intolerable.

The firm cautioned that noncompliance “will result in legal action and petitions to state authorities.”

Melvin Ejeh, the Agatu chairman, had earlier ordered all armed herders to leave Agatu towns immediately and terminated the 2017 grazing agreement that allowed herders access to Adapati Island.

He said that the arrangement, which was signed by a prior single administrator, was not carried out in good faith and had detrimental effects on the Agatu people.