Women all over the country have condemned the recent carnage in the Northeast.
Hundreds of women marched on the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday to protest the killings, especially the massacre of pupils of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
The women, who were in black, carried placards with messages such as “Stop the killings”; “Our hearts are heavy”; “We reject the rape on our land”; “No to killing of innocent souls” and “Have we lost our humanity?”
Their leader, Mrs. Barakumo Egba, said: “This is not a particular organisation. We are representing every group of women. We are just Nigerian women. Our counterparts all over the country and even those in the diaspora are protesting too.
“Boko Haram attacked a Federal Government College in Yobe. They killed children, set some homes on fire and abducted some female pupils. We want our daughters back and we want these killings to stop.”
Also speaking, former Commissioner for Women Affairs Pastor Emmanuella Izunwa said: “We need to live like a family in this country. The walk is to send a message across that women are not happy with what is happening.”
The State Chairman of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Dr Enale Kodu, urged members of the communities where the Boko Haram sects hibernate to fish them out.
She said: “We don’t expect members of the community to accomodate killers. They should help security operatives to fish them out. If the insurgents are living in communities, the people should not keep condoning them as they go out, kill people and come back.”
Receiving the women at the gate of the Old Government House, Port Harcourt, the lawmaker representing Etche constituency, Golden Chioma, who represented the Speaker, said the lawmakers are pained by the killings of the pupils.
In Ekiti, the women called for prayers, improved security network and eternal vigilance to end the incessant killings.
They were led by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Fayemi called on mothers to join forces in prayers for an end to the menace and for peace to reign in the country.
She said: “Nigerian women have decided to speak with one voice to say enough is enough. Let’s put a stop to the killing of these innocent children; let us stop the massacre of the Lord’s anointed.
The Deputy Governor called for eternal vigilance by residents and enjoined them to promptly report any suspicious movement of persons or objects to law enforcement agents.
Prof. Adelabu said:”The activities of the sect members are not only animalistic, but it can best be described as satanic invasion of Nigeria, which calls for prayers. Now is the time for women and indeed every Nigerian to rise and speak against this evil.”
In Lagos, the women armed with placards converged on the Lagos Television Ground, Ikeja, and walked through Awolowo Way to the State House, Ikeja.
The protest was initiated by Nigerian Women Mourn, with the support of Women Arise Initiative and other women Non-Governmental Organisations.
The Convener, Nigerian Women Mourn, Laila St. Matthew Daniel, said the women were concerned about the escalating rate of violence in Northeast.
She said: “We commiserate with the families of the slain children, women and men of Adamawa and Bornu states and join in solidarity to say ‘no more! Enough is enough of the killings.
President, Women Arise Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said there should be a holistic approach to tackling Boko Haram crisis, urging the military to wake up and be alive to its responsibilities.
“Our security operatives must be proactive to end this immediately. Adequate compensation must be paid to the victims. It is included in our constitution that the government must protect life and property.
“We are also calling on all those that are aggrieved to sheath their sword. We want to stop the tears and agony,” Odumakin said.
Another speaker, Princess Olufemi-Kayode said: “These children are born by us. We say no to more killing and destruction of our children.
Dr. Abiola Akiyode said: “We are sad about this, we are sad because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
“Everyday, we see our mothers, children and fathers die. We are united as Nigerians against this dastardly act. We call on the Federal Government to come up with a national strategy to deal with this.”
Receiving the protesters on behalf of Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams said: “Honestly, everyone shares in this pain. I am a mother and grandmother. We are pained by these killings. Some people have lost husbands, wives and children. Innocent souls are killed daily.
“And I know the pain we are all going through. We need to continue to pray for this country.”
