Fulani herdsmen (militia) attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria are a serious and ongoing issue in Nigeria resulting in numerous deaths, displacement and the destruction of properties and churches.
In one of their numerous attacks, they attacked one Christian community of Obada Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun state, south-west Nigeria which led to protest in this community.
The violence stems from a complex mix issues, including competition for land and perceived religious intolerance. This made protestors took to the streets of a Christian community in Obada Oko, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, south-west Nigeria.
One protester said, “we are tired, please stop Fulani herdsmen from destroying our farm, killing our people and rapping our women.”
About 6 people have been killed and more than hundreds displaced after a spate of devastating attacks on mostly Christian villages in Obada Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun state in south-west Nigeria by dangerous suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The attacks happened between 18th and 23rd of December 2023, with the deadliest on the 22nd of December 2023 when a community village at Obada Oko in Abeokuta, Ogun state was attacked. The militants were first resisted by the youths and residents, only for them to retreat shouting “allahu akbar” meaning god is greater. The dangerous Fulani bandits burnt business buildings, residential homes and a church. 6 people were killed and about 24 people injured. The first of this attacks occurred on the 18th of December in the Dideolu estate area of the Obada Oko community in Abeokuta when the Fulani herdsmen came with scores of their cows destroying farmland owned by the residents.
One of the respected community youth leader name john Taiwo and few locals in the area including the Baale (king) challenged the dangerous Fulani militants and were threatened to leave his farm because they want to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation.
Fear has forced many families to flee the area since the unfortunate incident happened. Subsequent days saw a spike in violence across the southwest states.
Residents of affected communities are calling for urgent federal and state intervention, increased security deployment to vulnerable border areas and independent investigation into the attacks. Many fear that without decisive action, more communities could be targeted.
For families in Obada Oko area in Abeokuta, the renewed violence has reopened wounds from years of displacement and loss, as one resident Bolaji Aromire told our news correspondent, “ we were warned. The world was warned. Yet nothing was done especially by the appropriate security agency.