Displaced residents return as security improves
Schools, basic infrastructure undergoing rehabilitation
By Golok Nanmwa
Hope is gradually returning to Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State as residents displaced by years of insecurity begin to return to their ancestral homes, with Governor Hyacinth Alia and Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Ambassador Melvin James Ejeh, leading renewed efforts to consolidate peace and rebuild affected communities.
The development marks a significant turnaround for Agatu, where persistent insecurity had forced residents to flee their homes, abandon farmlands and disrupt social and economic activities across several communities.
Communities including Egwuma, Akele, Olegankolo, Ikpele 1, Ikpele 2, Ogwumogbo, Iwari, Okpokpolo, Olakpa, Ogbai, Olegadapa, Olegadaechono, Ekwo and Okadu/London are among those where displaced residents have returned and resumed farming activities.
The return of the displaced persons, coupled with their renewed access to farmlands and the gradual restoration of basic services, is being seen as an indication of growing confidence in the security situation.
The development has been supported by security operations and interventions by the Benue State Government, the Agatu Local Government Council and other stakeholders.
Governor Alia’s administration has provided logistics and operational support to security agencies working in Agatu, including motorcycles and other equipment aimed at improving the mobility and response capacity of personnel, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
The state government has also continued to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced residents through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, as part of efforts to cushion the effects of displacement.
The interventions have helped create conditions for residents to gradually return home, regain access to their farmlands and resume their livelihoods.
Beyond security, however, the emerging recovery in Agatu is also being driven by local government leadership under Ejeh, who has placed the return of displaced persons, rehabilitation of affected communities and restoration of basic services among the priorities of his administration.
Since assuming office, Ejeh has continued to engage the state government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders on measures to consolidate peace and facilitate the return of displaced residents.
The chairman’s approach has focused on ensuring that the return of residents is accompanied by efforts to restore the social infrastructure required for sustainable living.
Education is one of the areas receiving attention, with the Universal Basic Education, UBE, Primary School in Nkwele being operated by the local government council as part of efforts to restore access to basic education for children in returning communities.
The council has also continued to advocate the rehabilitation of affected communities, recognising that residents cannot be expected to return permanently without access to schools, healthcare, farmlands, markets and other essential facilities.
Residents have expressed appreciation for the complementary efforts of the state and local governments.
Speaking on the development, Ocheje Okpoku, a resident of Agatu, commended Governor Alia and Chairman Ejeh for supporting security operations and creating conditions that are encouraging displaced residents to return home.
He said the gradual restoration of normal life was important to families who had spent years living with fear and uncertainty, adding that the return of farmers to their farmlands would also help revive the local economy.
Another resident, Agaba Oche, also acknowledged the interventions of the Alia administration and the Ejeh-led council, particularly in the areas of security support, humanitarian assistance and community rehabilitation.
He said the return of residents was an indication that the people were beginning to regain confidence in the future of their communities.
Similarly, Elder Gabriel Ngbede, a community member, commended the state and local government leadership for prioritising the restoration of peace in Agatu, stressing that residents needed sustained security and basic infrastructure to rebuild their lives.
According to the residents, the cooperation between Governor Alia and the local government leadership is critical to ensuring that the gains recorded in Agatu are sustained.
Ejeh, who recently spoke on the security situation in the area, also commended the security agencies, particularly Operation Whirl Stroke, the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and other security formations operating in Agatu and neighbouring communities, for their sustained sacrifices and tireless efforts towards restoring peace.
He said their clearance operations, patrols and continued presence in affected communities had helped create a safer environment for displaced residents to return to their homes and farmlands.
“The sacrifices of the personnel, often made under difficult conditions, remain critical to sustaining the fragile peace and preventing a relapse into violence,” Ejeh said.
The proposed establishment of a permanent security camp in the area is also expected to strengthen the security architecture and give returning residents greater confidence to remain in their communities.
Security agencies have continued clearance operations in affected areas, while residents are gradually returning to their homes and farmlands.
The development is particularly significant because farming remains the main source of livelihood for a large section of the Agatu population.
With improved security, farmers who previously abandoned their fields are gradually regaining access to their farmlands and resuming farming activities, raising hopes of increased agricultural production, improved household incomes and greater food security.
However, the recovery process is not yet complete.
Communities such as Ejima Geche and Ejima Gega are still awaiting the full return of their residents, while some displaced families remain unable to return permanently because their houses were destroyed and basic infrastructure remains inadequate.
This underscores the need for sustained government intervention beyond security operations.
The achievements recorded so far therefore reflect the complementary efforts of the Alia administration and the Agatu Local Government Council under Ejeh.
While the state government has continued to provide support for security operations, humanitarian assistance and broader recovery efforts, the local government has focused on translating those interventions into community-level action.
The collaboration has also demonstrated the importance of cooperation between state and local governments in tackling insecurity and its humanitarian consequences.
The council has appealed to youths, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support the peace process and reject activities capable of undermining the progress already recorded.
It stressed that the priority should not be who takes credit for the return of peace but how the gains can be protected and extended to communities where residents are yet to return.
For Governor Alia, continued support for security operations, humanitarian interventions and reconstruction remains critical to the sustainability of the peace.
For Ejeh, the task is to consolidate the gains, strengthen basic services and ensure that returning residents receive the support required to rebuild their lives.
And for the people of Agatu, the responsibility is to protect the peace and cooperate with government and security agencies to ensure that the communities do not return to the dark days of violence and displacement.
The gradual return of residents to Agatu therefore represents more than the reopening of abandoned communities. It signals renewed confidence, economic recovery and the beginning of a new chapter for a people who have endured years of insecurity.
With residents of 14 communities already back home and resuming farming activities, and only Ejima Geche and Ejima Gega still awaiting the full return of their people, Agatu is gradually moving from a story of displacement and fear to one of peace, recovery and renewed hope.