Following continuous attacks by suspected herdsmen, Women in Oviri Olomu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have staged a protest to the Ughelli Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force and declared a sex strike untill the government takes urgent steps towards curbing the menace.
The women in their numbers gathered peacefully on Tuesday at the police command, expressing their outrage over what they described as prolonged terror, sexual assault, and the destruction of their farmland allegedly carried out by armed herders in their previously peaceful agrarian community.
They announced they would halt all cooking, intimate relations with their husbands, and participation in the marketplace until tangible security measures are enacted to protect their lives and property.
“For too long, we have endured in silence,” said Esther Monday, a women leader in the community. “They rape our women and our visitors. Our men cannot enter the bush or farm anymore because it is unsafe. That is why we are on strike—no food, no sex, no peace until something changes.”
Austin Etata, a former community secretary general, confirmed the protest and reiterated the women’s demands: “Our women have made it clear—no cooking, no intimacy, and no trading until the government and security agencies intervene. That’s why we are here at the Ughelli Area Command today.”
He described the situation as grave, stating that suspected herdsmen have made Oviri Olomu a center for kidnappings and rape. “There’s even a bush path that is now impassable due to frequent abductions. They destroy our cassava farms to feed their cattle, and when our men protest, the herders brandish guns and machetes.”
Community Vice President Emmanuel George also expressed the community’s frustration: “We are tired. These herdsmen are staking claims to our land and threatening to kill our people. Even when the women beg, they threaten violence. We cannot accept this anymore.”
The protesters are appealing to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and police officials to enforce the anti-open grazing law and lift the siege on their community.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ughelli ‘A’ Division promised that their grievances would receive due attention and assured them that action would be taken.
“We understand your pain and frustration. The police will not ignore your cries,” the DPO stated. “We are planning a peace meeting between Fulani leaders and your community leaders as soon as possible to build understanding and restore calm.”
