Hundreds of distressed women from Oke-Ere in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State took to the streets on Wednesday, protesting half-naked against what they described as the “endless reign of terror” plaguing their community.
The mostly elderly women, in a show of deep anguish and frustration, marched through the town holding sticks and leaves, singing dirges and chanting in their local dialect to decry the worsening state of insecurity.
In a video seen by PUNCH Online, the women cried openly as they called on the government and security agencies to intervene urgently and bring an end to the spate of attacks, kidnappings, and killings in the area.
“We are tired. Every day, we live in fear. Our children are not safe. We cannot sleep at night. We are begging the government—please save us,” one protester said, visibly emotional.
This latest protest follows a series of violent incidents in the region, including the March kidnapping of three individuals and the shooting of four others along the Ayere-Kabba Expressway. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at St. John’s Hospital in Kabba.
The protesters say their action is a desperate cry for help, as repeated pleas for improved security have gone unanswered.
As at press time, neither the Kogi State Government nor the local police authorities had issued an official response to the protest.
