•Cmmunity Member Cries Out for Help, Says His Life Under Threat
•Natural Ruler Refutes Allegations
Mr. Vincent Kahaga Agbatse of Onov-Mbaheen, Tse-Agundo, Mbakyu, Mbazu, Ikwe Council ward of Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State has appealed to the state government, security agencies, Tiv Area Traditional Council and spirited individuals to help him recover all family lands, farm crops, signposts among other items confiscated from him by the Kindred Head of Mbazu, Chief Dzuaga Walu, whom he also alleged is threatening to kill him and members of his family.
“I am appealing to good-spirited individuals and the government for help, which is why I have come to the press. My life and that of my family are in danger. I urge them to please help us.”
Mr. Agbatse, who said he is a farmer by profession, walked into The Voice newsroom last Tuesday. He said the confiscated land is estimated to about 50 hectares with a large portion of yam, maize and cassava farm worth millions of naira, which he cultivated, saying all his means of livelihood have been taken and he is suffering with his family and the Chief has allegedly banned him from going to the village.
He alleged that the chief has vowed not to allow him to farm on the land again, citing his position as chief as justification.
According to Mr. Agbatse, the Chief made trouble with his father over the land until his father died then he has now transferred the matter to them (the children).
“Troubles began in 2018 when my late brother, Kenneth Agbatse, erected a signboard on our family land. Chief Dzuaga attacked us with hoodlums at gunpoint and removed the signboard.
“After the 2018 incident, around 2019, I received a contract from someone to saw wood. I sawed 170 decking boards, which Chief Dzuaga seized. Despite several appeals for their release, he refused.
“This year, I cultivated a farm where I planted yams, the chief seized it. He has also seized my cassava and maize farms, saying he does not want to see me in the community. I am not sure what I have done wrong apart from refusing to give up our family land, which measures about 50 hectares. He claims all the land belongs to him as chief.
“This is not just about me; he has done the same to others, in fact, since Chief Dzuaga became chief, peace has eluded our community. There have been numerous problems.
“On June 2022, thugs invaded our community, killing three young men and stealing motorcycles. On May 10, 2025, around 10-11 pm, Chief Dzuaga and his accomplices attacked my house. I escaped by the skin of my teeth. My life is in danger. He has seized all our farms and burnt down my house to eliminate me and take over the land. I have reported this to the police but he refused to honor their invitation. Presently we are taking refuge in Ikpayongo community.
“Those who dare to testify about my ownership of the land are threatened and intimidated. The second most elderly person in my community, Baba Iti Agondo, who sided me with the truth, was suspended by Chief Dzuaga. He barred Baba Agondo from community gatherings, saying that he does not want to see him near the venue.
“Even the tax collector responsible for land disputes wasn’t spared. When he assessed the land and informed Chief Dzuaga that it belonged to me, he was suspended. The whole community is intimidated by Chief Dzuaga, fearing suspension if they speak the truth about my case. Everyone is afraid of him, and if you don’t comply with his demands, it becomes a problem”.
In a telephone conversation with Chief Dzuaga Walu, he vehemently denied the allegations. He told The Voice that a court case between him and Mr. Agbatse’s elder brother had already settled the land dispute.
He accused Mr. Agbatse of attempting to tarnish his image and claimed that Mr. Agbatse’s real intention is to bring Fulani herders to the community, which he refused. The chief filed counter-charges against Mr. Agbatse, accusing him of threatening to burn down his house.
“I did not seize his land. His elder brother took me to court, and we litigated the case up to the appeal court, where it was settled. I have no issues with him regarding the land; he was simply encroaching on my people’s land. What he has told you is untrue.
“I have filed a case against him at the Igbor police station and Zone 4 police headquarters in Makurdi. Currently, the police are searching for him, having visited his residence multiple times without finding him. His claims are entirely false.
“Last year March, Mr. Agbatse informed me of his intention to bring Fulani herders to the community, which I refused. I reported this to the Igbor police station. This year, he threatened to burn down my house, prompting another report to the police. I even alerted the community elders, stating that Agbatse planned to burn my house.
“The police invited me to bring individuals mentioned in the complaint but my name was not mentioned in the invitation. I have the invitation copy, which only requested that I bring the specified individuals to the state police headquarters as the kindred head. I instructed them to honor the invitation but most of them refused, citing the need for personal service. Only one Hyacinth Tume complied.
“Claims that I seized his farms are lies. The entire narrative is fabricated. Nobody has been driven out of the community. Mr. Agbatse is simply damaging my reputation. As the kindred head, he does not recognize my authority, yet involves me in external matters when convenient. I have no issues with him; he is just tarnishing my image.”
When The Voice contacted the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) handling the case, who pleaded anonymity, he confirmed that Mr. Kahaga Agbatse had reported the matter to the Benue State Police Headquarters.
The IPO stated that an invitation had been served on chief Dzuaga Walu and assured that the police were actively working on the case, which would soon be forwarded to court for prosecution.
