Women from the Akoko Southwest Local Government Area in Ondo State staged a half-naked protest to express their anger over the ongoing kidnappings and killings allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen in their community. The protesters, alarmed for their safety, demanded immediate measures to stop the violence and restore peace in their region.
According to Saharareporters, the demonstration was sparked by the recent murder of a 34-year-old farmer, Sunday Ayeni, in Uba-Oka Akoko by suspected herdsmen just a day prior.
The women, dressed in various garments and without head coverings, marched to the palace of the Olubaka of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye, during a security meeting. They voiced their frustrations and demanded justice while singing war songs to condemn the recent violence. They also reported instances of rape and destruction of their crops by the herdsmen.
The protesters pledged to resist any further harassment, torture, or kidnappings by the armed men. Abigail Ojo, one of the demonstrators, stated that the ongoing violence was pushing them to consider abandoning their farms. She called on state security agencies to implement effective measures to ensure their protection.
In response, Oba Adeleye assured the women that their concerns would be addressed and promised to escalate the issue to both the State and Federal Governments for prompt intervention. He recognized that the Akoko communities were already facing severe security challenges.
