Youths from Ogoniland have called for the immediate and unconditional departure of Fulani herdsmen from their communities following a string of deadly attacks allegedly perpetrated by the herders in parts of Rivers State.
The demand was made during a peaceful protest held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The demonstrators, under the banner of the Coalition of Rivers State Youth Bodies, marched from UTC Junction, Abonnema Wharf, to the Rivers State Police Command headquarters, carrying placards that read: “Police Take Action Against Fulani Herders in Ogoni,” “Stop the Killing in Ogoni,” and “Enforce the Law Prohibiting Open Grazing in Rivers State.”
Addressing the press at the protest ground, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, Chairman of the Coalition, decried the killings in Nyokuru, Ebubu, Sogho, and Ue-ken communities, describing them as “heinous acts of terror” that have stretched the patience of the Ogoni people to its limits.
“We, the concerned citizens of Ogoniland, are compelled to raise our voices against the growing wave of violence and insecurity perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen within our communities. These acts of aggression are unacceptable.
Also Read: “Help Our Legend Live Again”: Veteran Nollywood Star Tom Njemanze Fights Cancer
“We have endured enough, and we can no longer afford to stand by as our people are murdered and our communities terrorized.”
He stressed that the continued presence of herders in Ogoni territories was a direct threat to peace and security, calling on the Nigerian Police and other relevant authorities to enforce the anti-open grazing law in Rivers State and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We demand justice for the victims of these brutal assaults and accountability for those responsible. Should these demands be ignored, we will be left with no choice but to defend ourselves.
“Let it be clearly stated: any further attacks on the lives of Ogoni people will no longer be reported to the police. We will resort to self-help and self-defense.”
The protestors were received by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Alhassan Kawu, who assured the group that their grievances would be formally delivered to the Commissioner of Police.
“We have heard your demands and will ensure your petition gets to the right quarters,” he said.
However, tensions briefly escalated when the youth leader challenged the DCP on the lack of arrests or visible action from the police.
In response, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Iyke Okoro, stepped in to calm nerves and assured the protestors that operations are already underway to address the situation in Ogoniland.
“There are ongoing security efforts targeted at apprehending those responsible. We understand your pain and are working towards restoring peace,” ACP Okoro said.
The protest ended peacefully, but the message was clear: the Ogoni people are prepared to take action if steps are not taken to end the violence in their communities.
