Aggrieved residents of Egbo-Kokori community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, on Tuesday, staged a protest at the Police Area Command, Ughelli, decrying what they described as incessant attacks, rapes, and the destruction of their farmlands by suspected killer herdsmen.

The protesters, including elderly women, men, and youths, carried leaf branches and chanted anti-herdsmen songs, demanding immediate action.

"We no want killer herdsmen in our community again!" they chorused, expressing frustration over their inability to access their farmlands due to fear of attacks.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, community leader Albert Oghenekparobor accused herdsmen of:

• Destroying farmlands with their cattle.
• Raping women in the bushes.
• Petitioning the police and having community leaders arrested.

"As if that was not enough, the herdsmen petitioned and arrested our leaders at Isiokolo Police Division. After a roundtable discussion, they were released," Oghenekparobor stated.

He explained that the herdsmen previously agreed to leave the community after signing an undertaking, but later returned.

"Recently, we received another petition accusing us of killing their cows. That is why we are protesting. Our women no longer go to the farms for fear of being raped. All we want now is for these killer herdsmen to leave our land permanently," he added.

Another community leader, Benson Oshevire, echoed similar concerns:

"The herdsmen are raping our wives, daughters, and sisters, and then uprooting our cassava for their cattle. Our women can no longer access their farms because of fear. All we want is for them to leave our land."

Elderly women, Mama Patricia and Philo Utuedor, also spoke out:

"We can only go to our farms in groups because anyone who goes alone risks being assaulted," Patricia lamented.

"Last year, we signed an undertaking, and they left. But now, we are shocked to receive a petition claiming we are killing their cattle. The herdsmen drive us from our farms, leaving us confined to our homes," she added.

Following the protest, Ughelli Area Commander, ACP Ademola Adebayo, engaged the Egbo-Kokori community leaders in a closed-door peace meeting.

As of the time of filing this report, the outcome of the meeting was still awaited, while protesters remained at the entrance of the Police Area Command, standing their ground.