As millions of Nigerian women joined their counterparts across the world to
observe International Women’s Day, hundreds of angry women on Tuesday held
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and hundreds of security operatives
and workers hostage at the Government House, Asaba.
as they demanded the release of four of their young men, whom they said
were arrested by the police over three weeks ago.
They gave their names as Eziafa Nwotokpo, Dikeamaka Okonji, Sampson
Uwandulu, and Ndubuisi Odum.
The women who carried placards bearing different inscriptions, defied and
compelled the police and other security agents at the gate to lock the
gates.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards said; “Youths are the Future of
Tomorrow, Release our Youths Now; We need our youths, husbands, fathers
back, we seek their bail; Release Iselle Azagba Youths, they are our
Future.”
The women who came from Iselle Azagba community in about 12 buses and
tipper lorries, also moved round Asaba the state capital, after first
visiting the State House of Assembly and the State Police Command
headquarters.
Speaking to journalists, one of the protesters, Mrs. Victoria Isichei, said
three weeks ago, four youths of their community were apprehended by the
police and locked away in prison.
“We are from Iselle Azagba. Iselle Azagba and Utulu were fighting over a
piece of farmland. For that land, four people were killed in a fight, while
many were injured. The fight took place near Iselle Azagba Mixed Secondary
School, and in order to keep security, the school principal invited the
vigilante to restore order and security. However, some police officers who
were initially invited due to the fight, arrested those vigilante boys and
took them to prison. For about three weeks now, they have not been released.
“What are their crimes? They even arrested the principal, but have released
him. But won’t release the vigilante.
“We are here because those boys they arrested are our sons, and our
husbands. We will not fold our hands and wait until they die in police
custody. They are innocent, and they must be released,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Ikemefuna Margaret, who led the protest, said as women
and mothers, they will will not fold their hands and watch as their sons
whom they bore for nine months held against their will for no crime and
stand at risk of getting killed.
She also acknowledged that they were aware of the significance of the
International Women’s Day, and chose the day to make their voices heard:
“what kind of Women’s Day are they celebrating, when the fruits of our
wombs are about to be wasted?,” she asked.
She stated that since they were arrested, they have become exposed to all
manner of criminal activities with no one to protect them.
Addressing the protesters, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa, Charles Aniagwu, noted that the women had the right to protest and
demand for the release of their children.
“Demonstrations and protests are the rights of every Nigerian. But having
acknowledged that, the police regulates the actions of vigilantes. If the
police arrests them, then it might mean there is no cordial relationship
between the police and the vigilante. However, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa
acknowledges the rights of every Deltan and would never want it trampled
upon. The people arrested are Deltans, and the women are also Deltans, and
indeed Nigerians. We will do all necessary to ensure that the rights of
these people are fully protected and not trampled upon.
“We want to believe that the police is doing its best to protect the rights
of the protesters and is aware that they should protect their rights.
“We expect that they, [Police], should charge the vigilante people arrested
to court if they are found guilty of any crime,” he said.
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