By Tgnews Reporter, Kaduna
In a poignant display of despair and defiance, farmers from Kagarko Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna marched barefoot to the palace of Chief Yohanna Akaito on Saturday, their faces painted black and hands clutching mourning leaves.
This dramatic protest, led predominantly by women dressed in black, was a desperate cry for justice against the relentless assaults and crop destructions by armed herders that have plagued their communities.
The march, captured in a viral video shared by Sahara Reporters, showed hundreds of farmers, their expressions a mix of anguish and resolve, as they confronted the traditional ruler.
One woman, her voice trembling with emotion, articulated the gravity of their plight: “They are killing us, our husbands, our children.” This sentiment echoed through the crowd, underscoring the deep-seated fear and frustration that has gripped the region.
This event marks the third such protest in recent days, highlighting the escalating tension in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where herder-farmer conflicts have claimed over 10,000 lives nationwide since 2010, according to data from the International Crisis Group. In Southern Kaduna, a predominantly Christian area, these clashes are often intertwined with ethnic and religious divides, exacerbating the violence.
The farmers’ actions are a direct response to the failure of local authorities to curb the herders’ attacks, despite Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani’s effort. Critics argue that the insecurity has left communities vulnerable, with some calling for a reevaluation of land use policies, such as the establishment of grazing reserves, to mitigate the competition over resources.
The protest has sparked a broader conversation on social media, with some labeling the situation as a “Christian genocide” and urging international intervention.
As the sun set over the palace, the farmers’ blackened faces and bare feet served as a stark reminder of the human cost of these conflicts. The question now looms large: will this cry for help be heard, or will it fade into the backdrop of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle for peace and security?
