Herders crisis: Documents reveal how Agatu land was secretly ceded to ‘indigenous’ Fulani herdsmen

Fresh documents have shed light on the decades-long conflict between Fulani herdsmen and residents of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State, revealing that part of Agatu land was secretly ceded to herders in 2017—an act that many say has fueled persistent violence in the region.

For years, communities in Agatu have clashed with herders over grazing on farmland, resulting in dozens of deaths, hundreds displaced, and widespread destruction of crops and homes. Among the most affected communities are Aila, Okokolo, Obagaji, Adagbo, Akwu, Odugbehon, and Odejo. Residents say their livelihoods remain under constant threat, prompting repeated resistance to herder activities.

The newly surfaced documents indicate that the 2017 ceding of land on Adapati Island has been a central point of dispute. The agreement, dated January 6, 2017, was reportedly supervised by Hon. Michael Umoru Inalegwu  then Sole Administrator of Agatu LGA.

Under the terms, Adapati Island was designated for grazing only, not residence, and only ‘indigenous Fulani’ with verified identities were allowed to graze.

Despite these conditions, the agreement has been widely criticized as secretive and exclusionary, with no consultation with local leaders or the community.

Chief Echechofu Ogwola, clan head of the Ayele/Igagishu Clan, whose authority covers Adapati land, has formally disowned the agreement. Represented by the law firm E-O Samson & Partners, the clan stated that the ceding of land was carried out without consent, rendering it null and void under customary law.

“At no time whatsoever was our client, the Adapati community, or any lawful traditional authority consulted, invited, or involved before the purported ceding of Adapati communal land to Fulani herdsmen for grazing purposes,” the firm said.
“The land in question is customary community land, held in trust by the Clan Head on behalf of the people. Any purported agreement affecting such land without the knowledge or consent of the landowners is null, void, and of no legal effect.”

The legal team highlighted serial breaches of the agreement, including:

Destruction of indigenous homes and farmlands

Grazing beyond Adapati Island into neighboring community lands

Use of firearms and machetes, which have led to violent clashes

The situation is further complicated by the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017, which took effect on May 22, 2017. Key provisions include:

Section 5: Requires a gubernatorial permit for grazing (none exists for Adapati)

Section 19: Prohibits nomadic herding outside designated ranches

The clan’s representatives have formally demanded:

Immediate invalidation of the January 6, 2017 agreement

Cessation of all grazing activities and removal of herders, cattle, and illegal structures from Adapati land

Written confirmation of compliance within 30 days

“The unlawful grazing activities have caused enormous losses, economic hardship, environmental degradation, and insecurity to farmers and residents of Adapati and adjoining communities. Our client and his people can no longer tolerate continued violation of their proprietary and customary rights,” the firm warned.
“Failure to comply will trigger legal action and petitions to state authorities.”

Earlier, Agatu Local Government Chairman, Melvin Ejeh, revoked the 2017 grazing agreement and ordered all armed herders to vacate Agatu communities immediately. He described the prior agreement, signed by a former sole administrator, as not executed in good faith and detrimental to the people of Agatu.