Edo Women Want Herders Out Over Killings

Some women in Uromi, Esan local government area of Edo state, have hit the streets to protest against the activities of herders in the area.

The women marched across streets in the town, on Wednesday, demanding the immediate eviction of herders from the area.

They accused the herders of being responsible for the violence, killings, rape and kidnappings in the area.

Some of the women said they can no longer go to their farms for fear of being raped and killed by herders who take their cows to graze on crops.

The protesters could be heard shouting “Fulani must go” as they block major roads in the town.

In January, Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, asked herders to vacate the forest reserves over rising insecurity in the state

He said “bad elements” had turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.

The governor’s directive sparked off different reactions, with Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, faulting the governor for issuing the order.

On Tuesday, governors in the south-east reiterated the ban on open grazing of cattle in the region.