In a powerful display of grief and anger, a group of women from Oke-Ere, a community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, staged a protest on Wednesday against the continuous violence that has plagued their town. The women, many of whom were elderly, marched through the streets, some appearing half-naked, as they chanted mournful songs and expressed their sorrow over the relentless attacks, kidnappings, and killings carried out by armed kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen.
The protest, captured in a video seen by SaharaReporters, showed the women holding sticks and leaves while they cried out for help, pleading for immediate intervention from authorities to end the reign of terror. Their chants filled the air as they voiced their anguish over the increasing insecurity in their community.
Onlookers could hear the women’s desperate cries as they sang sorrowful songs, praying for the safety and security of their land. A Facebook post by Kogi Pulse shared the sentiments of the protesters, describing them as “praying for the security of the land against kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen.” The post further highlighted the community’s suffering, as the women expressed their exhaustion over the constant violence that has claimed the lives of their loved ones and made it unsafe for them to go to the market or farm.
The ongoing attacks have made daily life a struggle, with the women of Oke-Ere no longer able to feed their families or live in peace. The situation is a direct result of the continuous wave of kidnappings and killings carried out by armed criminals, many of whom are believed to be Fulani herdsmen.
In a particularly shocking incident, suspected kidnappers ambushed travelers along the Ayere-Kabba federal expressway in Kogi State in March, abducting three passengers and injuring four others. The victims were rushed to St. John’s hospital in Kabba for medical treatment. This was just one of many attacks that have terrorized the state, with the herdsmen’s violence causing widespread fear and disruption.
As the women of Oke-Ere continue to fight for justice and safety, their heartbreaking protest serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to curb the violence and restore peace to their community.
Saharareporters
