Alex Akinrogbe
Women in the Oviri Olomu community, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, have threatened that they would no longer cook for their husbands or participate in market activities.
The women on Wednesday staged a protest over what they described as years of terror, rape and destruction allegedly carried out by armed herders in their once-peaceful agrarian community.
They also threatened a sex strike over continued attacks by suspected herdsmen.
“We shall not engage in intimacy with our husbands until concrete steps are taken to secure our lives and land,” they declared.
At the Ughelli Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, venue of the protest, the women demanded urgent intervention by security agencies and government.
The protesters called on Delta state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the police authorities to enforce the state’s anti-open grazing law and end the siege on their community.
Vice President of the community, Emmanuel George, said they 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,” he said.
Austin Etata, a former secretary general of the community and Esther Monday, a community woman leader, lamented that for too long, they have endured in silence.
“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.
“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 said.
Etata said 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,” the community leader added.
Addressing the protesters, 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.”
Credit: Abuja Reporters
