Fulani Group Accuses Agatu Youths of Deadly Attacks, Cattle Rustling — Demands Urgent FG, Military Intervention

A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Voice of Fulbe for Peace and Development, has raised the alarm over what it described as a “sustained campaign of deadly attacks, killings, and large-scale cattle rustling” allegedly carried out by youths from Agatu West in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State against Fulani herders residing in neighbouring Kogi State.

In a strongly worded communiqué signed by the group’s National President, Alhaji Hamman Gizo, and Secretary, Ardoi Ibrahim Yallo, the Fulani organisation appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the heads of the nation’s security agencies — including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) — to urgently intervene and halt what it described as “a wave of unprovoked aggression and persecution.”

> “We wish to inform Nigerians and the international community about the atrocities being committed by Agatu youths against peaceful Fulani herders living in Kogi State,” the statement declared.

The group presented a chilling timeline of alleged coordinated assaults spanning several weeks, resulting in multiple fatalities and devastating losses of livestock.

According to the communiqué, nine Fulani community members have been killed in recent weeks, while over 254 cattle were rustled and 35 others shot dead in different attacks allegedly orchestrated by armed youths from Agatu West.

September 19, 2025: The group alleged that hundreds of armed Agatu youths invaded several Fulani settlements in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing four persons — identified as Hassan Kabiru, Modibo Ibrahim, Hamza Bala, and Gizo Muazu — while rustling 148 cattle and injuring eight others.

September 30, 2025: Another attack reportedly occurred in Ajokpachi village, also in Omala LGA, where the assailants allegedly killed 49 cows and rustled 20.

October 2, 2025: In Odo Forest, the group said two herders were murdered, and three cows slaughtered.

October 4, 2025: The statement further alleged that Agatu youths stormed Igbeji Forest, killing three herders, rustling eight cows, and shooting 26 others dead on the spot.

The organisation stressed that all the attacks took place outside Benue State, insisting that Agatu youths “deliberately crossed state boundaries to launch assaults on Fulani communities in Kogi State.”

“We Are Peaceful Citizens” — Voice of Fulbe

The Voice of Fulbe reaffirmed that Fulani herders are “bonafide citizens of Nigeria” with the constitutional right to live and work peacefully in any part of the country.

> “Our people left Agatu peacefully and settled in Kogi State without any intent or act of provocation,” the group stated. “It is shocking that Agatu youths have continued to trail and attack us even across state boundaries.”

The group alleged that some traditional rulers in Agatu West may be complicit, claiming that “certain local leaders are either turning a blind eye or secretly encouraging the attacks.”

Describing the situation as “no longer tolerable,” the organisation urged:

The arrest and prosecution of all those behind the killings and rustling;

Immediate intervention by the Federal Government, and the Governors of Benue and Kogi States;

Deployment of security forces, including the military and DSS, to restore order;

And full compensation for families of slain victims and for lost cattle.

> “There is no single Fulani currently operating in Agatu Local Government,” the statement said. “Our people in Kogi State are now living in fear. We can no longer bear this without decisive government action.”

While stressing its commitment to peace and lawful coexistence, the group warned that continued silence from authorities might push affected communities to defend themselves.

> “We remain committed to peace, but if the government fails to act, we may be left with no choice but to take drastic steps to end this genocide against our people,” the communiqué cautioned.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Ambassador Melvin Ejeh, proved unsuccessful as his known mobile lines were unreachable at the time of filing this report.