Thousands of women in Nigeria’s Enugu State halted economic and social activities Thursday, protesting relentless attacks by armed herdsmen.
Women from seven communities blocked a key federal highway in Eha-Amufu, demanding government action against the escalating violence.
This marks the third consecutive day of demonstrations, highlighting the growing frustration and desperation of the affected communities.
Protest leaders revealed harrowing accounts of women being killed, raped, and displaced from their farms and homes since 2021.
They allege that herdsmen target them for attempting to protect their crops from grazing cattle.
Despite repeated appeals to authorities, the violence persists, prompting the women to stage a large-scale protest to draw the attention of Governor Peter Mbah.
The long-standing conflict between farmers and herders has evolved into a major security crisis across Nigeria, with thousands of lives lost and communities destabilized.
The dispute over dwindling resources has exacerbated ethnic, regional, and religious tensions, threatening the nation’s social fabric.
While police confirm they are addressing the situation, the women’s protest underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect vulnerable communities and resolve the deep-seated conflict.