Grazing: Agatu council chairman takes bold step against armed herders

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Hon Melvin James Ejeh, Chairman of the Agatu Local Government Council, has annulled the 2017 grazing agreement that provided herders access to Adapati Island, ordering all armed herders to leave Agatu settlements immediately.

This follows a recent surge in violent incidents in the area.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Ejeh stated Agatu Local Government Area has seen a new wave of attacks, purportedly carried out by armed herders who infiltrated the area following recent military bombings in sections of Sokoto State.

According to the council chairman, the attacks resulted in the deaths of women and children, injuries, recorded cases of rape, destruction of homes and farmlands, and the relocation of hundreds of inhabitants.

Ejeh described the situation as a serious humanitarian and security catastrophe, condemning the attacks and saying the ongoing bloodshed in Agatu was intolerable.

“In view of the persistent violations and escalating violence, I hereby announce the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adapati Island for grazing,” he said.

He described the deal, signed by a prior sole administrator, as one that was not carried out in good faith and had a bad impact on the people of Agatu.

The chairman proclaimed the agreement “null and void” and ordered all armed herders to leave Agatu territory, claiming that no part of the local government region belongs to herders.

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