Youths in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State have accused security agencies of arresting innocent members of the community instead of those responsible for repeated attacks on their communities.
In a petition addressed to the Benue State Commissioner of Police, the Agatu youths said the area has suffered sustained attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen since 2013, resulting in deaths, destruction of homes and farmlands, and severe economic hardship.
“Our land has been under unprovoked attacks since 2013, resulting in loss of life, destruction of property and wanton devastation of farmland,” the youth stated.
They allege that authorities’ failure to decisively confront the attackers has emboldened them, raising suspicions of possible collusion.
“The persistent nature of these attacks, unchecked by authorities, has emboldened the perpetrators and raised suspicions of possible collusion between the herdsmen and some individuals in positions of authority,” the petition reads.
The youth further stated that victims who speak out are often arrested rather than protected.
“The situation worsens when people mistreated by herdsmen dare to speak out, only to be arrested, charged and sometimes never seen again,” they alleged.
They specifically accused security agents of storming Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area, on January 25, 2026.
“Security personnel raided our hometown of Obagaji yesterday, January 25, 2026, arresting people who dared to question the brutality of the herdsmen,” the youths said, adding that those arrested were taken to undisclosed locations.
Demanding their release, the youth said: “Therefore, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of these arrested youth, unharmed.”
The petition also questioned the role of security agencies deployed in the area, accusing some officers of intimidation rather than protection.
“We have reason to suspect a conspiracy and an alleged alliance between security agents and enemies invading our land,” the youth said, alleging that the arrests were used to instill fear and prevent residents from defending themselves.
As a result, they said they had lost confidence in the existing security architecture at Agatu and called for the establishment of a locally driven internal security network.
“In light of this, we seek approval for the establishment of our own internal security network Agatu for training and empowerment to protect our people,” the petition said.
The youth urged the police commissioner to urgently intervene by protecting lives and property, investigating the attacks and ensuring accountability for anyone found complicit.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Och’Idoma, Senator Abbah Moro, members of the Benue State House of Representatives and House of Assembly in the area, the Agatu Local Government Chairman and the Divisional Police Officer.
At the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not responded to the allegations.