Women from Akoko Southwest Local Government Area in Ondo State took to the streets in a half-naked protest to express their anger over the ongoing kidnappings and killings allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen in their community.
The protest, which followed the recent murder of a 34-year-old farmer, Sunday Ayeni, in Uba-Oka Akoko, saw the women marching to the palace of the Olubaka of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye. The women, dressed in various garments and without head coverings, demanded immediate action to curb the violence and restore peace to their area.
Singing war songs, the protesters condemned the violence and highlighted additional incidents of rape and crop destruction by the herdsmen on their farmlands. They vowed to resist any further harassment, torture, and kidnappings.
One of the protesters, Abigail Ojo, voiced the collective fear of the women, stating that they were on the verge of abandoning their farms due to the relentless violence. She called on state security agencies to implement effective measures to protect their community.
In response, Oba Adeleye reassured the women that their concerns would be taken seriously and promised to escalate the issue to both the State and Federal Governments for urgent action. He acknowledged the severe security challenges facing the Akoko communities and the need for immediate intervention.
News Editor