In a bold and emotional demonstration, a group of women from Oke-Ere, a community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, took to the streets to protest the ongoing wave of insecurity, including persistent kidnappings and violent attacks by Fulani herdsmen. On Wednesday, these women, many of whom were elderly, staged a half-naked protest to voice their anger and frustration over the escalating violence that has plagued their community.
The protest, which was captured in a video seen by reporters, showed the women marching through the village, chanting mournfully. They carried sticks and leaves, using their voices to demand justice and an end to the violence that has taken the lives of many of their loved ones. Some could be heard wailing and singing sorrowful songs as they marched, imploring local authorities and security forces to take immediate action to address the violence.
One of the protestors explained that the women were no longer able to go about their daily activities, such as going to the market or farming, due to the constant threat of kidnappings and killings. These attacks, they say, have destroyed their livelihoods and brought immense sorrow to their once-peaceful town.
A Facebook post by a local user, Kogi Pulse, echoed the sentiments of the protesters, stating: “The women of Oke-Ere in Yagba West are praying for the security of their land against kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen. They are tired of the endless killings of their husbands, children, and loved ones. They can’t even go to the market or farm for sustenance anymore. #FreeYagbaWestFromInsecurity.”
This protest follows a series of harrowing incidents in Kogi State, including a recent attack along the Ayere-Kabba federal expressway. In that attack, suspected kidnappers abducted three travelers and left four others injured. The victims were rushed to St. John’s hospital in Kabba for medical treatment. This incident is just one of many cases of abductions and killings attributed to the violence unleashed by armed herdsmen in the region.
The women of Oke-Ere, along with many other residents of Kogi State, are calling on the Nigerian government and security agencies to take swift and decisive action to curb the rising tide of insecurity in the region. As the violence continues to escalate, communities like Oke-Ere are left pleading for safety and justice.
For more updates on security issues in Kogi State and across Nigeria, stay tuned to TheWatch.NG.
