LG Chairman Orders Herders Out, Revokes Grazing Deal

All herdsmen who had been grazing their cattle at Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State have been ordered out of the area.

They were ordered out by Chairman of Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh This follows the worsening insecurity situation in communities of the LGA.

The Chairman also revoked the 2017 agreement that granted herders access to Adepati Island in Agatu for grazing, declaring the pact null and void.

These were contained in a press statement issued in Makurdi, with the Chairman lamenting that Agatu had been thrown into renewed insecurity.

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He also cited fresh violent attacks on several communities, allegedly carried out by armed herders who took advantage of the recent military airstrikes in neighbouring locations.

The chairman said the fleeing attackers unleashed mayhem on innocent and defenceless residents, leaving a trail of death, destruction and fear across the council area.

He thus drove them out of the community and also revoked a grazing deal in place before now.