Women from Ukpada community in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, have protested against suspected Fulani herdsmen who have been destroying their farmlands.
According to Vanguard, the women took to the streets holding placards and wearing black clothes to show their anger and seek help from the state government.
Some of the placards read: “Ukpada women will rather return to their parents instead of perishing,” “Herdsmen are not residing in Ukpada, they only come to graze and destroy our farmlands,” and “No more cattle grazing in Ukpada or Bekwarra by the Fulani Herdsmen.”
The women are also calling on State and National Assembly members to assist them. They say they are under siege and fear for their lives.
According to an anonymous source, the trouble began when a local confronted a Fulani herder whose cattle were grazing on a farmer’s crops. The source explained, “A local in the community encountered a Fulani herder whose cattle were destroying crops. The local questioned the herder, who then tried to attack him. In the struggle, the herder lost his life.”
The police later arrested many people from the community, but they were released after the Ukpada people paid “heavy compensation” to the Fulani community. The source added, “We do not understand why they are threatening us again and destroying our crops. Our community relies on farming for its livelihood.”
One of the protesters, Mrs. Theresa Akwaji, said, “It is from this farm that we send our children to school and provide food for them. Because of the threat from Fulani herdsmen, who carry dangerous weapons, we can no longer go to the farm.”
Acommunity leader, Theophilus Ogbang, urged Bekwarra people living outside the area to help their struggling community.
He said, “Fulani herdsmen are chasing people in Bekwarra, and the women are protesting because they cannot go to their farms. We fear a situation like what is happening in Benue State.”
Ogbang also called on local politicians to assist, saying, “We need help from Hon. Charles Omang, Hon. Peter Akpanke, and Senator Jarigbe Agom.”
The Cross River State House of Assembly has condemned the destruction of farms in Ukpada. The lawmakers have called for the systematic removal of Fulani herders from the area and urged the state government to enforce the Cross River State Livestock Management and Grazing Law.
Hon. Charles Omang Omang, who sponsored the resolution, said, “The women of Ukpada have peacefully protested the destruction of their farms by Fulani herders.”
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, also criticized the actions of the herdsmen and emphasized the need to implement the Livestock Management and Grazing Law to protect farmers and ensure peace.
