A group of women in Araromi Ibese, Yewa, Ogun State, staged a protest in the town, decrying the persistent attacks and destruction of their farmlands by Fulani herders.
The women, many of whom have suffered personal tragedies, demanded urgent action to address the crisis, which they claim has left them unable to farm and live in peace.
One of the protesters, Iya Rokiba, recounted a harrowing experience of her pregnant daughter giving birth in the bush due to the insecurity in the community.
During the protest, the women lamented, “We are the women of Ibese, and there is a great problem in our land.”
Iya Rokiba said, “My daughter gave birth to a girl in the bush because of the Fulani’s trouble. We were in the village when we heard that Fulani people were on their way. I had to quickly take my daughter, who was pregnant, and run to the farm to hide. As we got there, she started complaining of stomach pain and eventually went into labour. It was around 1 a.m. One hour later, she gave birth. After that, we faced the problem of cutting the umbilical cord. I managed to do it. I managed to bathe the child with the little water I could find. Coming home was difficult, as we feared for our safety. Upon returning, we found our farms destroyed—our corn, okra, and other crops all gone.”
Another woman, heavily pregnant, expressed her frustration over the destruction of her crops. “I am not lazy. Despite my condition, I planted corn, beans, and okra, but the Fulani herders led their cows into my farm, destroying everything. I am now left with nothing,” she cried.
A young lady shared her terrifying encounter with a Fulani man at the village stream. “I went to fetch water when a Fulani man approached me, demanding that I sleep with him. I was so scared,” she said.
The women, overwhelmed with fear and frustration, pleaded with the authorities to intervene. “We cannot farm anymore. If we plant, the Fulani will still destroy everything. Our people are suffering, and some of us are now dependent on charity to survive,” one woman said.
“We are begging our king to take action and send them away. We do not want them around us anymore”, the women chorused.
Their protest underscores the growing tensions between local farmers and Fulani herders, a conflict that has plagued many parts of Nigeria. The women called for immediate intervention to restore peace and security in their community.
