Women from Akoko Southwest Local Government Area in Ondo State took to the streets in a dramatic half-naked protest, expressing their outrage over the ongoing kidnappings and killings allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen in their community.
The demonstrators, driven by fear for their safety, called for urgent measures to address the violence and restore peace.
The protest came in the wake of the recent murder of Sunday Ayeni, a 34-year-old farmer, in Uba-Oka Akoko, reportedly at the hands of suspected herdsmen. According to Saharareporters, the incident occurred just a day before the protest.
Clad in a variety of garments and without head coverings, the women marched to the palace of the Olubaka of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye, during a security meeting. They voiced their frustrations and demanded justice, chanting war songs and condemning the recent spate of violence. Their grievances included reports of rape and crop destruction by the herdsmen.
The protesters vowed to stand firm against further harassment, torture, and kidnappings by the armed groups. Abigail Ojo, one of the protesters, highlighted the dire situation, stating that many were on the brink of abandoning their farms due to the violence. She urged state security agencies to implement effective protection measures for the affected communities.
In response, Oba Adeleye promised to take their concerns seriously and pledged to escalate the issue to both State and Federal Governments for prompt action. He acknowledged the severe security challenges facing the Akoko communities and committed to seeking urgent intervention to address the crisis.
