Call for Mobile Police Deployment
By Ekani Olikita
Residents of Nigeria’s predominantly Christian- Central Benue State are expressing growing frustration over insecurity after Youth Leaders demanded the withdrawal of military personnel from Agatu County.
The demand was made publicly by leaders in Agatu County (Local Government Area), who accused the stationed troops of failing to address persistent attacks and violence in the community.
The Agatu Indigenous Youth Association (AIYA), accused troops under Nigeria’s military security operation, Operation Whirl Stroke, of failing to protect rural communities from recurring attacks and called for their replacement with Mobile Police units.
In a petition addressed to the Operation Whirl Stroke Commander Major General, the group passed what it described as a “vote of no confidence” on the military presence in Agatu, alleging delayed responses to distress calls, failure to act on intelligence warnings, and intimidation of local residents.
“Our people no longer feel safe under the protection of the military,” the petition stated. “We have lost total trust in their ability and willingness to secure our lives and property.”
The youth association cited several recent attacks, including the May 2 assault on Odugbeho community in which four residents were reportedly killed. The group claimed local leaders had warned security personnel ahead of the attack, but no preventive deployment was made.
AIYA also referenced another attack in Olegabulu community, alleging that troops stationed nearby failed to intervene while residents came under assault.
The association demanded the immediate deployment of Mobile Police officers, arguing that communities experienced comparatively better security between 2013 and 2017 when police tactical units were active in the area.
“Our insecurity became more intense following the deployment of the military,” the petition said. “We strongly suspect compromise.”
The petition was copied to several political and traditional leaders, including Senator Patrick Abba Moro, representing Benue South, Ojotu Ojema, National Assembly Lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Agatu County Chairman, Melvin James Ejeh and the Paramount Ruler of the Idoma Kingdom (Och’Idoma), Chief John Elaigwu Odogbo.
AIYA Leader Speaks with TruthNigeria
Ochokwunu Daniel Edor, in an interview with TruthNigeria on Tuesday, confirmed the Petition following a Vote of No Confidence on the Military.
“Yes, we conveyed a meeting, passed a Vote of No Confidence on the military personnel in Agatu County and called for their replacement by Mobile Policemen”
“We always inform the military of pending attacks ahead, but they won’t react
until after the attack. Yet, the same military will react swiftly against our youths who mobilize themselves to confront Fulani terrorists with pipe guns,” Edor told TruthNigeria.
“As I speak with you, Fulani Ethnic Militia have camps at the boundary between Agatu and neighboring Apa County, we informed the military, but no action has been taken to dislodge them”
“The troops are just in our communities to protect the Fulani Jihadists. We are calling on the Federal Government to replace the military with Mobile Policemen”,
Residents Describe Fear and Distrust
Several Agatu residents interviewed by TruthNigeria expressed frustration over what they described as repeated security failures.
“We report suspicious movements, but nothing happens until after people are killed. Villagers are now living in fear because they believe help may not come when attacks happen”, Edoh Seidu, a resident of Odugbeho told TruthNigeria.
Ene Audu, a resident of Olegabulu, said communities often feel abandoned during emergencies.
“People are no longer confident. Many families sleep in nearby bushes or relocate temporarily whenever rumors of attacks spread”, Ene told TruthNigeria.
A farmer in Egwuma Community, Sunday Okpabi, said residents were not opposed to security forces but wanted a system they could trust.
“We only want protection. If the Mobile Police can respond faster and work better with local communities, then that is what people are asking for,” he told TruthNigeria.
Security Expert Warns Against Breakdown of Trust
Security analyst Col Oche Ochoila (rtd), said the dispute highlights a broader challenge facing Nigeria’s Christian rural security operations.
“When communities lose confidence in security agencies, intelligence gathering becomes weaker and insecurity can worsen. Whether the allegations are accurate or not, authorities must urgently rebuild trust through transparent engagement, rapid response mechanisms and accountability,” Ochoila told TruthNigeria.
“Replacing military personnel with police units may not automatically solve the crisis, unless coordination, logistics, and local intelligence systems are improved,” he went on to say.
When contacted for comment, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lt. Zubairu Ahmad, declined to respond to the allegations.
Agatu County Chairman, Melvin Ejeh in an interview with TruthNigeria, said the military are doing their best.
“The troops are working tirelessly in order to secure Agatu land. What they need now is total support of the locals”, Ejeh told TruthNigeria
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, has experienced years of deadly violence involving heavily armed Muslim Fulani Ethnic Militia against predominantly Christian farming communities since 2013. Agatu, a predominantly Christian and agricultural county along the Benue River, has been among the hardest-hit regions.
Local leaders say residents are increasingly exhausted by repeated attacks and prolonged displacement, with many communities demanding stronger and more community-focused security measures.
The latest petition from Agatu youths underscores deepening tensions between civilians and security forces in one of Nigeria’s most volatile rural regions, as residents continue to seek protection from recurring violence.
Ekani Olikita is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
