Crime
Alleged Cattle Rustling, Killings: Fulani Group Seeks FG, States’ Intervention, Accuses Agatu Youth
By David Odama
A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Voice of Fulbe for Peace and Development, has accused some youths from Agatu West in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State of carrying out sustained deadly attacks, killings, and large-scale cattle rustling against Fulani communities residing in Kogi State.
In a strongly worded communiqué signed by its National President, Alhaji Hamman Gizo, and Secretary, Ardoi Ibrahim Yallo, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the group alleged that a “genocidal campaign” was being waged against Fulani people in Kogi State by youths from Agatu.
> “We are writing to inform Nigerians, the international community, the President of Nigeria, the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Director of the DSS, and other security authorities about the atrocities the Agatu youths are doing to us,” the statement read.
The organisation described the attacks as “unprovoked”, blaming them for the deaths of its members and the loss of hundreds of cattle.
According to the communiqué, the violence intensified after Fulani herders peacefully relocated from Agatu to Kogi State “without any intention or act of hostility towards Agatu people.”
The group presented a timeline of alleged incidents to illustrate the scale of the crisis, claiming that about 254 cattle were rustled and 35 shot dead, while nine members were killed within three weeks.
It alleged that on September 19, 2025, “Agatu West youths, armed with AK-47 rifles,” invaded communities in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing four persons — identified as Hassan Kabiru, Modibo Ibrahim, Hamza Bala, and Gizo Muazu — rustling 148 cattle, and injuring eight others.
The group said another attack occurred on September 30, 2025, when Agatu youths reportedly struck at Ajokpachi Village in Omala LGA, killing 49 cows and rustling 20, though no human casualties were recorded.
It further alleged that on October 2, 2025, Agatu youths attacked Odo Forest, killing two herders and slaughtering three cows, while on October 4, 2025, they allegedly stormed Igbeji Forest, killing three more herders, rustling eight cows, and shooting dead 26 others.
The Voice of Fulbe stressed that all the attacks took place outside Agatu LGA, specifically in Kogi State, questioning why Agatu youths would “leave their boundaries and state to attack us in Kogi.”
The group reiterated that Fulani herders are “bonafide citizens of Nigeria” with the right to live and work peacefully anywhere in the country, adding that Fulani families have remained committed to peace despite repeated provocations.
It accused “criminal elements among Agatu youths” of forming “self-styled rustling and killing gangs” that continue to terrorise Fulani communities beyond Agatu. The statement also alleged that some traditional rulers in Agatu West may be complicit in the violence, urging security agencies to investigate their alleged involvement.
Calling the situation “no longer acceptable,” the organisation demanded:
The immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Urgent intervention by the federal government and the governors of Benue and Kogi States.
Action from the service chiefs, the President, and security agencies, including the military and DSS.
Full compensation for the families of victims and for lost cattle.
> “There is no single Fulani operating in Agatu Local Government now,” the statement noted, adding that widespread fear has forced many herders in Kogi State to flee or seek protection elsewhere.
While emphasising its commitment to peaceful resolution, the group warned that if the government fails to act decisively, affected communities may be forced to “take drastic steps to end this genocide against our people.”
Efforts to obtain a response from the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Amb. Melvin Ejeh, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as his known mobile numbers were unreachable.