The women of Obinolu Ngodo, a village in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, marched to the Umunneochi Local Government Secretariat in Nkwoagu to protest what they say is a wave of farm destruction by Fulani herdsmen.
According to the protesters, the herdsmen have been uprooting cassava tubers from the women’s fields and feeding them to their cattle. They also claim that large herds have trampled on other germinating crops, a situation that could worsen food insecurity in the community.
The women arrived at the headquarters carrying cassava stems that they say were taken from their farms by the herdsmen. They said the attacks have become persistent in recent weeks and that many now fear to enter their own fields because of the presence of the herdsmen.
Placards displayed by the protesting women read: “Our people may die of hunger,” “We are now afraid to enter our farms,” “We don’t want Fulani herdsmen in our farms,” and “Government, save us now.”
Chairman Sunny Afurobi of Umunneochi Local Government addressed the crowd, saying he had received similar reports of farm destruction from another community. He promised to investigate the problem, adding:
“Governor Alex Otti is serious about the security of our people. He tackled the incessant kidnapping of our people, and the government is not sleeping when it comes to security matters. We will investigate the problem because we cannot abandon our farms,” Afurobi said.
The protest highlights growing tensions between pastoralists and farmers in the region, with local authorities pledging to look into the allegations and protect the community’s agricultural livelihoods.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
