A wave of protest has erupted in Oviri Olomu community, located in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as local women launched a sex strike to protest the continued attacks by suspected herdsmen in the area.
The demonstration, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, saw dozens of women march through the streets, chanting protest songs and carrying placards with messages such as “Enough of the killings” and “Our lives matter too.”
Beyond withdrawing from sexual relations, the women also vowed to stop cooking and trading until the government addresses the rising insecurity that has gripped the once-peaceful community.
Protest Fueled by Fear and Frustration
Speaking to reporters, Mrs. Ejiro Otomiewo, one of the protest leaders, said the women had reached their breaking point.
“Our farms are no longer safe. Our daughters are being raped. Our husbands are helpless. They no longer go to their farms. Hunger is killing us,” she said.
“We have decided to stop cooking, trading, and even sleeping with our men until the government acts.”
Protesters accused armed herders of terrorizing farmers, raping women, and destroying farmlands, leaving many residents displaced, impoverished, and living in fear.
Another protester, Mrs. Patience Okparavero, described the situation as a siege on the community.
“You can’t go to the farm anymore. The herdsmen are armed. They harass us, steal our harvests, and threaten anyone who dares resist. We are tired of empty promises.”
Calls for Enforcement of Anti-Open Grazing Law
The women issued a direct appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Police Command to take urgent steps toward enforcing the state's anti-open grazing law, which was signed to curb the movement of cattle in public spaces and reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
They also called for increased security presence, swift arrests, and the prosecution of armed herders responsible for the violence.
A Growing Pattern of Protests in Delta State
The Oviri Olomu demonstration is the latest in a string of similar protests across Delta communities in recent months, including Egbo-Kokori, Ekakpamre, and Abraka, where residents have repeatedly raised the alarm over herder-related violence.
Local leaders claim petitions and reports to law enforcement have largely gone unanswered, leaving communities to fend for themselves amid worsening insecurity.
Sex Strike as a Last Resort
The women say the sex strike is not only a protest but also a symbolic message of the deep pain and suffering rural women are enduring due to unchecked violence.
At the time of reporting, it was unclear whether wives of senior government officials, including the Governor’s wife or female political leaders in the state, would join in the sex strike in solidarity with rural women and victims of herdsmen’s violence.
As tensions escalate, the women of Oviri Olomu say they hope their action will force those in authority to finally take meaningful steps toward protecting their lives, farms, and future.
