Nsukka, Nigeria – No fewer than 1,000 women in Eha-Alumona Community in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, carried out a peaceful protest, urging Gov. Peter Mbah to ban operations of masquerades in the area, for restricting their movement.
The women marched from Eha-Alumona to Nsukka Local Government Council Secretariat and Nsukka Police Area Command, carrying placards.
Some of their placards read “Gov Peter Mbah come to our rescue in Eha-Alumona from the evil menace of Omoba and Akatakpa masquerades”, “Women in Eha-Alumona are denied free movements and their rights”, “These masquerades use dangerous weapons like gun, machete”, “Masqueraders restrict us from going to our businesses like farms, markets and offices”, among others.
The spokesperson of the protesters, Mrs Bene Ugwuoke, said that they decided to carry out the protest because of incessant attacks, harassments, intimidations and extortions of money from these masqueraders in Eha-Alumona.
She said that masqueraders in the community had continued to hold residents hostage, especially women, as they are being prevented from coming out to carry out their daily businesses.
“We are here to protest and appeal to Gov. Mbah and security agencies to ban activities of Omaba and Akatakpa masquerades in Eha-Alumona community due to their incessant attacks and harassments of residents,, especially women and young girls.
“The ugly situation has degenerated to the point that women in the community no longer go to farms, markets and other engagements because of fear of being attacked and harassed by the masqueraders.
“If this situation is allowed to continue, it means that we and our children will die of hunger as we can no longer be allowed to move out and find something to feed our families,” she said.
“We are not against culture and tradition but we will not fold our arms and watch masqueraders unleash terror on us in the name of culture and tradition,” she said.
She expressed sadness that boys parading under the costume of masquerade as ‘spirits’, forgot that it is the same woman they are harassing and maltreating that gave birth and catered for them till they grew up.
“We are sick and tired of these attacks all in the name of culture and tradition, we plead for freedom of worship and freedom of movement in our community,
“When these masqueraders are operating, motorists are not safe to enter Eha-Alumona. Visitors and marketers are also affected. if it falls on our market day we are doomed because we can’t go out to sell or buy goods from the market,” she said
According to her, all attempts to tame the nefarious activities of the masqueraders by traditional institutions in the community proved abortive as the operators refused to abide by the rules and regulations guiding them.
Responding, Ugwuoke, represented by Mrs Jacinta Ugwu, an Administrative Officer, commended the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully and assured that she would forward their protest letter to Gov. Mbah for immediate action.
Also in his response, Yahya Hassan, the Nsukka Police Area Commander, assured the women that he would take their request to the appropriate police authorities for consideration.
“I thank you for the peaceful protest. I will forward your request to the appropriate police authorities. Be assured that police will continue to provide adequate security to every law-abiding citizen,” he pledged.
