How Koro Natives Painted Faces Black, Marched Barefooted To Traditional Ruler’s Palace Over Herders’ Attacks
Residents from several communities in Southern Kaduna on Saturday staged a dramatic protest against persistent attacks and the destruction of farmlands allegedly carried out by armed herders.
The protesters, mostly women, marched barefoot from different villages to the palace of the Chief of Koro, His Highness Yohanna Akaito, in Kurmin Jibrin, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
They came from communities including Aribi, Kenyi, Kutaho, Kabara, Kushe, Dogon Kurmi, Katugal, Nkojo, and Kurmin Jibrin.
Dressed in black and with their faces painted, the demonstrators carried leaves in their mouths and on their heads, symbolizing mourning and distress. They condemned the continuous destruction of their farms and the alleged killings of farmers by armed herders who, they claimed, operate with impunity in the area.
Despite attempts by authorities to stop earlier demonstrations held on Wednesday and Friday, the aggrieved farmers regrouped on Saturday, insisting that their voices must be heard.
Upon arrival at the palace, the protesters reportedly forced their way in and appealed to the traditional ruler to intervene by urging the government and security agencies to protect them.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, men, women, and children were seen singing mournful songs and crying out to God for help.
One of the protesters, speaking before the royal father, said, “Your Highness, we have come before you with heavy hearts and tearful eyes. We are widows, orphans, and suffering sons and daughters of Koro land. Our means of livelihood have been destroyed. Herders graze their cattle on our farmlands, leaving our crops in ruins. Each time we try to defend our farms, they attack us with machetes. They are killing our husbands and children.”
She appealed to the Chief to use his influence to draw the attention of authorities to their plight and called for immediate action to end the violence and restore peace.
The protesters warned that they would return to the streets if no concrete response is received from the government and security agencies.
More photos below.
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