Delta women protest herdsmen attacks

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Delta women protest herdsmen attacks

Aggrieved women from the Ekakpamre community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State staged a massive protest on Tuesday against alleged incessant Fulani herdsmen attacks and rape.

They called on the federal and state governments to wade in immediately and rescue them from the attackers.

The protesters, mostly aged women, were sighted displaying fresh leaves and placards with inscriptions such as “Enough of these molestations by Fulani herdsmen;” “We are being raped and chased from our farms;” and “We do not want cows on our farms.” etc.

The women also accused security agencies in the area of compromise, lamenting that, in most instances; they support the invading herdsmen against them.

Speaking with journalists, the Ekakpamre women leader, Mrs Loveth Boyi, disclosed that “for over three years now, Fulani herdsmen have been troubling us, chasing us from our farmlands.”

She said, “Just last week, five women were raped on their farms, and as a result, we can no longer access our cassava farms, either to plant or harvest.

“The herdsmen will harvest our cassava and other farm produce and give it to their cattle. Our husbands are not going to the bush; hence, we are calling on the state and federal governments to rescue us from the shackles of these invading herdsmen in the community.”

Narrating her ordeal, an octogenarian, who identified herself as Mama Blacky Raymond, twisted her knee, which she said was due to the attack she suffered from the herdsmen.

She held that she could no longer access her farm after she was forcefully chased out by the Fulani attackers.

Also speaking with newsmen, the President General of the community, Edafe Kpohraror, affirmed the allegations by the women, saying, “They embarked on the protest because herdsmen have continued to chase them from their farmlands.”

Kpohraror added “There is one Imam in the community that is using the police and army to intimidate us, and as a result, many people have fled the town for fear of possible arrest.

“We are appealing to the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the President, Bola Tinubu, to rescue our community from the attack of herdsmen.”

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state Command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report.