PROTESTERS from Egbo- Kokori community barricaded the entrance to the Ughelli Area Command in Ughelli North Local Government Area over the incessant attack, raping and destruction their farm lands.
The peaceful protesters mainly aged women, men and youths displaying leave branches were singing we no want Fulani herdsmen in our community disclosed that, they have abandoned their farm lands for the fear of attack 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 cattles 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 the the police station, we had a round table 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.” He said.
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 cattles.
“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.”
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 any one who thus go 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 cattles.
The Fulani herdsmen will chase us from our farm and because of that, were always in our home 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 Command, ACP Ademola Adebayo as gate to the entrance the Ughelli Area Command was under lock while the protesters were outside.
