News

Women in Ondo Community Stage Half-Naked Protest Against Herdsmen Attacks

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 14th, 2024.

Women in Ondo Community Stage Half-Naked Protest Against Herdsmen Attacks

In Ondo State, women from the Akoko Southwest Local Government Area have staged a half-naked protest to express their anger and fear over ongoing kidnappings and killings allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen in their community. The demonstrators, deeply concerned about their safety, called for swift action to stop the violence and restore peace.

The protest was sparked by the recent killing of a 34-year-old farmer, Sunday Ayeni, in Uba-Oka Akoko, reportedly by suspected herdsmen. In response to the tragedy, 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 to voice their frustration and demand justice.

Chanting war songs, the protesters condemned the violence and called for an immediate end to the attacks. They also highlighted incidents of rape and the destruction of their crops by the herdsmen. Determined to defend themselves, the women vowed to resist any further harassment, torture, or kidnappings by the armed men.

One of the protesters, Abigail Ojo, shared that many of them were on the verge of abandoning their farms due to the ongoing threats. She urged state security agencies to implement effective measures to protect their community.

In response to the protest, Oba Adeleye assured the women that their concerns would be taken seriously. He promised to escalate the issue to the State and Federal Governments, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. The monarch acknowledged that the Akoko communities were already facing severe security challenges and stressed the importance of addressing the situation promptly.