FARMERS PROTEST HERDSMEN’S DESTRUCTION OF CROPS IN BAYELSA

Farmers, mostly women from Okutukutu community in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, blocked the busy Melford Okilo Road for hours on Monday to protest the destruction of their crops and farmland by herdsmen.

The protest forced commuters to either trek or take alternative routes to reach their destinations during the demonstration.

Speaking with newsmen, Chief Bonus Wombu, the Osomoibie of Epie/Atissa Kingdoms, Mrs. Numueze Atana, the Chief Women Leader of Okutukutu Community, and Mrs. Imomotimi Genesis decried the situation, stating that their crops had been destroyed and women were being raped by the herdsmen.

Chief Wombu called for the enforcement of the Bayelsa State Open Grazing Act and accused the government of failing to take appropriate action against the herdsmen while other protesters urged the Bayelsa State Government to evict the herdsmen from their forests.

Addressing the aggrieved protesters, Mr. Samuel Debekeme, a senior police officer and Mr. Doubiye Alagba, Chairman Bayelsa State Vigilant Service assured the women that their complaints had been noted and that necessary steps would be taken to address them.

Mr. Debekeme also reached a verbal agreement with the women to hold a meeting with their representatives and government officials on Wednesday before the barricades were removed.

Our correspondent reports that a similar protest took place in Biogbolo Community, where women also demanded the evacuation of herdsmen from their forests.

Reporting by; Bright Okpo