Women in Oviri Olomu Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have staged a protest against the continuous activities of suspected herdsmen in their community, calling for urgent intervention by the State Government and relevant authorities.
They want Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the State Police Command to implement the State’s anti-open grazing law and end the siege on the land.
The protest which took place on Tuesday saw the protesting women headed to Ughelli Area Command of the Nigeria Police where they demonstrated their grievances.
During the peaceful demonstration, the protesting women lamented over years of terror, rape and destruction allegedly carried out by armed herders in their once peaceful agrarian community.
They said they would no longer cook, engage in intimacy with their husbands, or participate in market activities until concrete steps were taken to secure their lives and land.
“For too long, we have endured in silence, said Esther Monday, a community woman leader.
“They rape our women and our guests. Our husbands can no longer go to the bush or farm because it is no longer safe. That is why we are on strike — no food, no sex, no peace until something is done”, she added.
Confirming the development, Austin Etata, a former Secretary- General of the community, stated, “Our women made it clear—no cooking, no intimacy, and no trading until government and security agencies act. That’s why we are here today at the Ughelli Area Command.”
Etata described the situation as dire, saying suspected herdsmen have turned Oviri Olomu into a den of kidnappers and rapists.
“There’s a particular bush path where no one can pass anymore because of frequent kidnappings. They destroy our cassava farms to feed their cows. If our men challenge them, they bring out guns and machetes”, Etata noted.
Emmanuel George, Community Vice President, on his part, stated, “We are tired. These herdsmen are claiming ownership of our land and threatening to kill our people. When our women plead with them, they threaten to cut their necks. We can’t take this anymore.”
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ughelli ‘A’ Division assured the community that their complaints would be looked into and promised that necessary actions would be taken.
“We understand your pain and frustration. The police will not ignore your cries,” the DPO said.
“We will convene a peace meeting between the Fulani leaders and your community leaders as soon as possible to foster understanding and restore peace, he assured.
Delta State House of Assembly had passed the anti-gazing bill into law during the immediate past administration led by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Okowa also signed the bill into law but the enforcement had been a challenge even till the present administrstion led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The massive outcry from different communities seems endless as the citizens especially in the rural communities seem helpless, looking up to the Government and relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, the State Government also looks up to the Federal Government since issue of policing is under the Federal Government and not State. There have been sustained calls on creation of state Police to enable adequate policing.
Recently, however, Governor Oborevwori and his State Executive disclosed that the State would be using technology to fight crimes in the State.
