Open Letter to the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Hon. Melvin James Ejeh

Dear Hon. Melvin James Ejeh,

It is with great concern and disappointment that I address you regarding the signing of the Second Peace Accord with the Fulani herdsmen. As a leader entrusted with the protection of Agatu’s people, culture, and future, your decision to endorse this agreement is deeply troubling and appears to disregard the painful history and ongoing trauma endured by the Agatu community.

The wounds inflicted upon Agatu by Fulani herdsmen are too fresh and severe to be forgotten or dismissed. Since the crisis began in 2013, our land has witnessed relentless attacks, massacres, and the displacement of thousands. The 2017 Peace Agreement, which you must be aware of, did not yield the intended results. Instead, it led to increased violence, leaving our people more vulnerable and shattered. Why should we expect a different outcome this time?

The atrocities committed by Fulani herdsmen are well-documented and cannot be overlooked. The senseless killings, destruction of homes, and forced displacement of Agatu residents are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, systematic campaign. Their return poses an existential threat to our people. Accepting their apologies and granting them access to our ancestral land disregards the sacrifices of those who fought and died to defend it.

It is important to remember that the Fulani herdsmen’s aggression is not just about grazing land but also about asserting dominance and forcing Agatu people out of their homes. Allowing them back without concrete, enforceable guarantees of safety and genuine reconciliation is akin to inviting disaster once again.

Your leadership should prioritize the security and well-being of Agatu over external pressures for peace that lacks substance. While peace is desirable, it must be built on justice, accountability, and mutual respect—not vague promises or appeasement. Our community’s survival depends on safeguarding our land and preventing further exploitation or violence.

Hon. Chairman, history has taught us that appeasing aggressors only emboldens them. The Fulani herdsmen’s pattern of behaviour, even after peace agreements, has shown that they cannot be trusted to honour their commitments. The 2017 accord is a glaring example. How can we expect our people to live peacefully alongside a group whose history with us is drenched in blood and betrayal?

I urge you to reconsider this agreement and prioritize the voices of Agatu residents who remain skeptical of its efficacy. The distrust expressed by the people you represent is valid, and it is your duty to stand with them. We cannot afford to gamble with the safety and future of Agatu for the sake of symbolic peace.

Let us learn from history and honour the memories of those we have lost by ensuring their sacrifices were not in vain. Agatu must remain a safe haven for its people—a land where our culture thrives, and our children can grow without fear.

Yours sincerely,
Matthew Eloyi
Concerned Agatu Indigene