Protesters from Egbo- Kokori community have barricaded the entrance to the Police Area Command in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State over the incessant attacks, rape and destruction their farmlands by herdsmen.
The peaceful protesters mainly aged women, men and youths, waving leave branches and singing, complained that residents have abandoned their farmlands for the fear of attacks and rape.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Albert Oghenekparobor, a community leader said: “We are protesting at the Ughelli Area Command because of Fulani herdsmen that are destroying our farms with their cattle and at same time raping our women in the farm.
“As that was not enough, the herdsmen petition and arrested our leaders at Isiokolo Police Division and when some of got to the police station, we had a roundtable discussion that led to their release.
“After their release, the Fulani herdsmen came begging that they should be given time to leave the community and we both signed an undertaking on when they will leave and they left as agreed.
“But just recently, we were invited by the police that there is a petition against the community that we are killing their cows, hence we are protesting.
“Our women no longer go to the bush because of the fear of being raped. All we want now is for all the Fulani herdsmen to leave our land, we don’t need them again.”
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Another leader from the community, Benson Oshevire said, the herdsmen are raping our wives, daughters and sisters, after which they will uproot our cassava for their cattle.
“They are causing us pains as our women can no longer access their farms because of the fear of rape and assault on them. All we want is for them to leave our land,” he said.
Mama Patricia and Philo Utuedor said: “We don’t want the Fulani herdsmen in our village again. As it is today, we can only go to our farms in groups as anyone who goes to the farm alone will be abused and assaulted.
“Last year, we both signed an undertaking and they left but we are surprised to see a petition and invitation that we killing their cattle.
“The Fulani herdsmen will chase us from our farms and because of that we are always in our homes and when this invitation came, we have to protest to let the world know what we are facing in our community.”
As at the time of this report, leaders of Egbo- Kokori community were in a closed door meeting with the Ughelli Area Commander, ACP Ademola Adebayo as gate to the entrance the Ughelli Police Area Command was locked, while the protesters were outside.
