From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Over 1000 women from Eha-Alumona in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on Wednesday carried out a peaceful protest against incessant masquerades attacks and harassment, urging Gov. Peter Mbah to ban them from operating in the area.
The women who marched from Eha-Alumona to Nsukka Local Government secretariate and Nsukka police area command bearing some placards with different inspections such as;
“Gov Peter Mbah come to our rescue in Eha-Alumona from the evil menace of Omabe and Akatakpa masquerades.”
“Women are denied of movement and their rights.”
“Masquerades use dangerous weapons like guns, and knives, among others to prevent us from going to our farms, market and offices,” among others.
Addressing the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) in Nsukka LG, Mrs. Martina Ugwuoke, and Nsukka Police Area Commander Mr. Yahaya Hassan the spokesperson of the protesters, Mrs. Benedict Ugwuoke said that they decided to carry out the protest because of incessant attack, harassment, intimidation and extortion of money by masquerades in Eha-Alumona.
She said that masquerades in the community had continued to hold the community hostage especially women as they were being restricted from coming out to carry out their daily businesses during the operation of the masquerades.
“We are here to appeal to Governor Mbah Government and security agencies to ban activities of Omabe and Akatakpa masquerades in the Eha-Alumona community due to their incessant attack, harassment, and restriction of movements on residents especially women and young girls.
“The ugly situation has degenerated to the point that women in the community no longer go to farm, market, and other engagements because of fear of being attacked and harassed by the masquerades.
“If this situation is allowed to continue, it means that we and our children will die of hunger as we are no longer allowed to move out and find something to feed our family.
“Masquerades who present themselves as traditionalist have held the entire community hostage by their practices, condemning the entire community into a compulsory coffee where women particularly are their major targets, we are no longer free to move out of our homes on any day they called the Onuokachi Day.
“On this day motorists are not safe to enter our community likewise visitors and marketers. If it falls on our market day, we are always doomed because we can’t go out to search for greener pasture for our families” she said.
Ugwuoke expressed concern that the boys who hide under the Omabe and Akatakpa masquerades parade dangerous weapons like machetes, daggers, guns, among others which she alleged that they used to attack their victims.
“We are not against the culture and tradition of our community, but we will not fold our arms and watch masquerade unleash terror on us in the name of culture and tradition.
“These boys parading themselves under the costume of masquerade as spirits forgot that it is the same woman they are harassing and maltreating that gave birth to them.
“Our community Eha-Alumona is sick and tired of these skirmish experiences all in the name of culture and tradition, we plead for freedom of worship and freedom of movement in our community,” she said.
According to her, all attempts to tame the nefarious activities of the masquerades by traditional institutions in the community proved abortive as the operators of the masquerade refused to abide by the rules and regulations provided to them.
Responding, (Ugwuoke) the HPM of Nsukka LGA, who was represented by Mrs Jecinta Ugwu, an Administrative officer commended them for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that she would forward their protest letter to the Governor for immediate action.
Also in his response, Hassan, the Nsukka Area Commander assured the women that he would take their request to the police hierarchy for consideration.
“I thank you for the peaceful protest, I will channel your request to the appropriate police hierarchy, and be assured that police will continue to provide adequate security to every law-abiding citizen,” he said.
