Protesters from Egbo-Kokori Community on Monday barricaded the entrance to the Ughelli Police Area Command in Ughelli North Local Government Area, protesting the persistent attacks, rapes, and destruction of their farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.
The peaceful protesters, mostly aged women, men, and youths armed with leaves, chanted, “We no want Fulani herdsmen in our community.” They revealed that they had been forced to abandon their farmlands due to the fear of attack and rape.
Speaking to newsmen, community leader Albert Oghenekparobor said, “We are protesting at the Ughelli Area Command because the Fulani herdsmen are destroying our farms with their cattle and raping our women in the fields.
“The herdsmen also petitioned and had our leaders arrested at Isiokolo Police Division. When we went to the station, we had a roundtable discussion which led to their release. Afterward, the herdsmen begged for more time to leave the community, and we both signed an agreement on when they would depart, which they did.
“But recently, we were invited by the police over a petition accusing us of killing their cows, and that’s why we are protesting.”
Oghenekparobor added, “Our women no longer go to the bush because of the fear of being raped. All we want now is for all Fulani herdsmen to leave our land. We don’t need them anymore.”
Another community leader, Benson Oshevire, said, “The herdsmen are raping our wives, daughters, and sisters, and then uprooting our cassava for their cattle. They are causing us pain as our women can no longer access their farms for fear of rape and assault. All we want is for them to leave our land.”
Philo Utuedor said, “We don’t want the Fulani herdsmen in our village anymore. As it stands, we can only go to our farms in groups. Anyone who goes alone will be abused or assaulted.
“Last year, we signed an agreement, and they left, but now we are surprised to see a petition and invitation accusing us of killing their cattle. The herdsmen chase us from our farms, and because of that, we are always at home. This invitation prompted us to protest to let the world know what we are facing in our community.”
