Women in Uba-Oka Akoko, Ondo State, protested half-naked against the ongoing killings and assaults by suspected herdsmen. The protest follows the brutal murder of farmer Sunday Ayeni. The women are demanding immediate government intervention to ensure their safety and end the violence plaguing their community.
In Ondo State, women from the Uba-Oka Akoko community in Akoko South West Local Government staged a dramatic protest against the ongoing violence attributed to suspected herdsmen.
The women, half-naked and deeply distressed, marched to the palace of Oba Adebori Adeleye, the traditional ruler of Oka Akoko, pleading for intervention. Their anger was fueled by the recent brutal murder of Sunday Ayeni, a local farmer, who was found on his farm with fatal machete wounds, days after receiving compensation from herdsmen for damage caused by their cattle.
The protest highlighted not just the murder, but also the broader issues plaguing the community. The women recounted harrowing experiences of sexual assault on their farmlands and the destruction of crops, which has forced many to abandon their livelihoods out of fear. Abigail Ojo, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the unbearable conditions they face, urging the government and security agencies to take decisive action to protect their lives and property.
The Ondo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed that an investigation into the killing is underway. Authorities have assured the community that efforts are being made to apprehend those responsible for these heinous crimes.
The protest underscores the urgent need for government intervention to restore peace and security to the area, as the women of Uba-Oka Akoko continue to live in fear of further attacks.
