GistNexus – April 9, 2025.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a group of angry women from Oke-Ere community in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State went on a painful protest because of the endless terror their community has been experiencing. The women, mostly elderly, have suffered months of endless attacks by armed kidnappers and suspected Fulani herdsmen. Their demonstration, which included half-naked marching in the streets, quickly became a viral hit, bringing national attention to insecurity in the region.
Oke-Ere’s Struggle Against Sustained Attacks
The Oke-Ere community, which is situated deep within the core of Kogi State, has been struggling with an increasing wave of violence. The town has been under attack for months now, with kidnappings, brutal killings, and overall fear taking over the community. Armed gangs, who are predominantly composed of kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen, have destroyed the town, leaving the inhabitants frightened. The open insecurity has left the community exposed, with the occupants living in perpetual fear.
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The women of Oke-Ere, particularly the elderly, have been the hardest hit by such attacks. They have lost relatives, witnessed gruesome brutality, and lived in constant dread of the safety of their loved ones. Because the government was not perceived to be doing enough to end the violence, these women felt it was necessary to take action for themselves.
A Desperate Plea for Government Intervention
The April 9 demonstration was not a howl of desperation but an agonized appeal to the government for swift action. Barely in clothes sufficient to cover their privates, the women marched through the neighborhood lamenting aloud. Their partial nudity was symbolic, a defiant act of defiance against the constant terror to which they’ve been subjected. It was a visual representation of the vulnerability they face every day.
In one of the videos that surfaced online, protesters were heard wailing and singing sad songs. Their cries were tinged with despair as they mourned the deaths and the inability of state and federal governments to safeguard them. Some of the women were heard crying uncontrollably, obviously traumatized by what they have witnessed in their neighborhood.
The Viral Effect of the Protest
The news of the protest spread, and the videos became viral, with the country and the world paying attention. The sight of elderly women marching in a semi-nude state, with their faces twisted in grief and determination, struck a chord with many. Social media was flooded with calls of solidarity, anger, and calls to action.
The video from the protest drew an overwhelming tide of sympathy from Nigerians throughout the nation. Numerous people challenged the government to intervene in its response to the security crisis and emphasized the incompetence of security personnel in shielding Oke-Ere citizens. It was fast noted by critics that the failure to quell the violence had given rise to an atmosphere in which the weakest parts of society—the Oke-Ere elderly women—were pushed to use such extreme methods.
The Fulani Herdsmen Role in the Conflict
One of the fundamental problems driving the violence in Oke-Ere and elsewhere in Kogi State is the constant clash between Fulani herdsmen. Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports of clashes between local farmers and herders, which tend to escalate into violent confrontations. The herders, who move their cattle from one area to another, have also been blamed on numerous occasions for burning farms, which puts them at odds with local communities.
The past months, though, have seen the violence turn increasingly deadly, as herders and armed kidnappers join hands to stage coordinated attacks. The herders, many of them carrying guns, have not only attacked farmland but also people, kidnapping them for ransom and occasionally leaving them lifeless. This has become the daily lot for most rural communities, such as Oke-Ere.
The chronic insecurity has caused huge displacement, with numerous families leaving their homes in search of safety. This has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in some parts of Kogi State, where the displaced people struggle to access shelter and basic necessities.
The Government’s Response to the Crisis
Despite the rising unrest, the government’s response has been generally criticized as insufficiency. The Oke-Ere women’s protest exemplifies the frustration of the majority of Nigerians in rural areas who are abandoned by the authorities. While the Nigerian government has promised to take care of the security matter, many believe that the current security agencies are saturated and ill-equipped to adequately respond to the situation.
A number of citizens have even accused that the government was also complicit in the brutality. The claim is that doing nothing against the attackers and finding solutions to the root causes of the conflict gave courage to the attackers. The ongoing kidnappings and killings in the region are seen by most as a direct result of the failure of the government to act firmly.
In the aftermath of the protest, calls for a greater military deployment in the countryside have mounted. The government is being urged by local leaders to not only bring security but also to probe and prosecute those responsible for the attacks. Unless action is taken on time, they warn, things will continue to go from bad to worse.
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Widespread Reactions and National Outrage
The protest by the Oke-Ere women has brought about a national discussion of the security situation in Nigeria. On social media, Nigerians have been expressing outrage at the entire episode, most of them complaining about the failure of the government to provide security for its citizens.
Some social media users have blamed the worsening security situation on broader governance problems in the country. A user noted, “This sad ???? under the present APC government, a great many things have gone horribly wrong in our dear nation. My worry now is that tomorrow, APC will come and give them 10k to vote for the wrong person, and they will happily vote the APC man again… May God heal our land.”
This is a comment that has been shared by many Nigerians, and the opinion that current political leadership has failed to address the underlying issues of insecurity, corruption, and poor governance. It captures the feeling of disenfranchisement and political disillusionment with the system.
Looking Forward: The Path to Justice and Peace
The Oke-Ere women protest has brought to the fore the pitiable situation in Kogi State and other rural communities affected by insecurity. While the protest may have been a cry for help, it is also a testament to the bravery and tenacity of Nigerian women in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Their temerity to stage a protest in the face of danger has charged many across the country to demand justice.
The fate of Oke-Ere and other like communities is in doubt. However, the government cannot turn a deaf ear to the cries of the people anymore. What is needed is a clean approach to ending the violence, one that entails better security measures, redress of the cause of the violence, and accountability for those perpetrating the killings and kidnappings.
Lastly, the protest of Oke-Ere’s women is not just about security; it is a call for a society in which the weakest are protected and justice prevails. Their bold move has exposed a crisis calling for quick and strong action on the part of the government. Whether or not what they have to say will be listened to will determine the future of Oke-Ere and the other communities under the terror regime.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka