The decades-long conflicts between Fulani herders and the residents of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State may 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 contributed to the ongoing conflict and violence in the area.
Herdsmen and villages in Agatu have been at conflict over grazing on farmlands for years.
According to reports, the war has devastated crops, displaced hundreds, and killed scores.
The violence has had a negative impact on 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 livelihoods and crops are constantly under danger.
The 2017 relinquishing of land in Adapati Island, which has been mentioned as a cause of contention by both sides, is a deeper layer that has been exposed by the recently discovered documents.
According to reports, Capt. I.A. Yusuf, the Agatu LGA’s sole administrator at the time, oversaw the deal, which was signed on January 6, 2017.
Among its provisions was the following: “Adapati Island would be open only for grazing, not residence.” The island was only open to grazing for “indigenous Fulani” with valid identification.
Despite these requirements, the pact has drawn harsh criticism for being exclusive and private, with no participation from the local people or traditional leaders.
The arrangement has been rejected by Chief Echechofu Ogwola, the head of the Ayele/Igagishu Clan, whose jurisdiction includes Adapati land.
The clan, represented by the legal firm E-O Samson & Partners, confirmed that the land ceding was done without permission, rendering it unlawful under customary law.
It stated: “Before the alleged ceding or opening of Adapati communal land to Fulani herdsmen for grazing purposes, our Client, the Adapati community, or any lawful traditional authority were never consulted, invited, or involved.”
The land in question is customary community land that the Clan Head holds in trust for the benefit of the populace. Any alleged agreement that affects such land without the proprietors’ knowledge, approval, or involvement is void and has no legal force.
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 into neighboring 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, has further compounded the situation.
Important clauses include: Section 5: Grazing requires a gubernatorial permit, which Adapati does not have.
Nomadic herding is prohibited outside of specified ranches under Section 19.
The legal representatives of the clan have formally requested:
The January 6, 2017 agreement is immediately void.
“All grazing operations must immediately stop, and herders, cattle, and unauthorized constructions must be removed from Adapati territory. 30 days for a written confirmation of compliance.
“Farmers and residents of Adapati and surrounding communities have suffered significant losses, financial hardship, environmental degradation, and insecurity as a result of the illegal grazing activities.” The ongoing infringement on our client’s and his people’s property, possessory, and customary rights is intolerable.
The company cautioned that “legal action and petitions to state authorities will trigger failure to comply.”
Melvin Ejeh, the chairman of Agatu, earlier ordered all armed herders to leave Agatu towns immediately and annulled the 2017 grazing agreement that allowed herders access to Adapati Island.
He said that the deal, which was signed by a prior sole administrator, was not carried out honestly and had detrimental effects on the Agatu people.
