Farmers in Southern Kaduna staged a dramatic protest this week, marching barefoot and painting their faces black to highlight the rising insecurity and repeated attacks by herders in the region. The demonstration drew attention to the plight of local communities, many of whom have lost lives and livelihoods to violent clashes.

The protesters called on state and federal authorities to take urgent action against the attacks, demanding protection for farmers and stricter enforcement of laws against violent herders. They emphasized that ongoing insecurity has severely disrupted farming activities, leaving many families in financial and emotional distress.

Local leaders condemned the violence, urging both farmers and herders to seek peaceful solutions while warning that continuous attacks could escalate tensions further. The march, symbolic in nature, was meant to convey the depth of frustration and helplessness felt by the affected communities.

The Southern Kaduna protest has once again reignited debates over land use, security, and communal relations in Nigeria. Observers say sustainable solutions require government intervention, dialogue between herders and farmers, and the enforcement of policies that safeguard rural livelihoods.