A group of women from Oke-Ere, a rural community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, staged a dramatic protest on Wednesday, stripping half-naked in a bold display of their anger and frustration over the increasing insecurity in the area. The protest, which was widely shared in a video, saw mostly elderly women march through their community, chanting mournful songs and holding sticks and leaves while they demanded urgent action from the authorities to end the reign of terror unleashed by armed kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen.
The women, some of whom were visibly distraught, spoke of their deep sorrow as they marched through the streets. They lamented the ongoing kidnappings, attacks, and killings that have plagued their community for months. The protest was a desperate cry for help from people who feel abandoned by the government and helpless in the face of the growing security threat in the region.
The protest in Oke-Ere comes amid a growing wave of insecurity across Kogi State. The area has been beset by frequent kidnappings, armed robberies, and killings linked to the activities of Fulani herdsmen and criminal gangs. Residents have expressed fear for their lives, with many unable to go about their daily activities without the constant threat of abduction or violence.
The women of Oke-Ere have now taken the bold step of protesting in a bid to draw attention to their plight. “We are tired of the constant fear, the kidnappings, and the loss of our loved ones. We can no longer go to the market or to our farms. We can no longer live in peace,” said one of the women in the video.
Many of the women, some of whom are elderly, appeared in the video in an emotional state, their faces marked by grief as they sang sorrowful songs and carried sticks and leaves as symbols of their resistance. Their half-naked protest is seen as a symbolic act of defiance, representing their willingness to expose themselves in desperation in order to demand an end to the terror.
A Facebook user, Kogi Pulse, who shared the video, described the women as making prayers for the security of their land, calling on the government and security agencies to act swiftly. “The women are tired of insecurity and reckless killings of their husbands, children, and loved ones in the area. They can’t go to the market or farm to feed again,” the post read, adding the hashtag #freeYagbawestfromInsecurity.
The community’s frustration has been fueled by the persistent kidnappings and attacks in the area. Just last month, suspected kidnappers ambushed travelers along the Ayere-Kabba federal expressway, a major road that runs through Kogi State. The attackers abducted three passengers and injured four others. The victims were rushed to St. John’s Hospital in Kabba for medical treatment.
The incident on the Ayere-Kabba road was just one in a series of attacks blamed on the activities of armed bandits, often identified as Fulani herdsmen, who have been terrorizing the region. These herdsmen are often associated with kidnapping for ransom, as well as clashes with local farmers over grazing routes and farmland. However, the scale of violence in recent months has raised concerns about the inability of authorities to contain the threat.
In addition to the kidnappings, the community has also experienced several other attacks and killings by these armed groups. The relentless nature of the violence has created a state of fear among the people, and many have expressed a loss of faith in the government’s ability to protect them.
The Kogi State government has been criticized for its slow response to the growing insecurity in the area. While the government has promised to improve security, residents of Oke-Ere and other affected communities argue that they have seen little tangible action. The women of Oke-Ere, in their protest, have called for more effective security measures and a greater presence of law enforcement in their area.
Kogi State, like many other parts of Nigeria, has been grappling with the challenge of rising insecurity. The country has witnessed a surge in violent crimes, including kidnappings, armed robberies, and attacks by bandits, particularly in rural areas. This has led to widespread calls for better coordination among security agencies and increased resources for tackling crime.
The federal government has been urged to provide more support to state governments in combating insecurity, but many Nigerians remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the current security measures. As attacks by herdsmen and bandits continue to escalate, many people are losing faith in the ability of law enforcement to protect them from these criminals.
The protest in Oke-Ere highlights the urgent need for a more robust and coordinated response to the security crisis in Kogi State. While the state government has pledged to address the issue, the people of Oke-Ere and other communities affected by insecurity feel that their voices are not being heard.
The women’s protest is a stark reminder of the daily fears faced by ordinary Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas, who are often at the mercy of criminal elements. The lack of effective security has left communities vulnerable, with many residents fleeing their homes in search of safer places to live.
It is clear that urgent action is needed to restore peace and security to Kogi State and other parts of the country. The government must ensure that security agencies are adequately equipped and motivated to combat the growing threat of kidnapping and violence. At the same time, local communities must be empowered to work alongside the authorities to build safer and more resilient neighborhoods.
The women of Oke-Ere have spoken, and their message is clear: the time for action is now. They can no longer live in fear, and they are demanding that the government take immediate steps to protect their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Their protest is not just a cry for help, but a call for change – a call for a future free from fear, violence, and insecurity.
