From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Over 1000 women from Eha-Alumona in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest against incessant masqueraders attacks and harassment and urging Governor Peter Mbah to ban them from operating in the area.
The women marched from Eha-Alumona to Nsukka Local Government Secretariat and the Police Area Command, Nsukka, bearing placards with different inspections such as “Governor Peter Mbah come to our rescue in Eha-Alumona from the evil menace of Omabe and Akatakpa masquerades,” “Women are denied freedom of movement and their rights,” and “Masquerades use dangerous weapons like guns and knives 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, Mrs. Benedict Ugwuoke, said they decided to protest because of incessant attacks, harassment, intimidation and extortion of money by masqueraders in Eha-Alumona.
She said the masqueraders have continued to hold the community hostage, especially the women as they are being restricted from going out for their daily businesses during the operation of the masquerades.
“We are here to appeal to Governor Mbah 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.
“Masqueraders who present themselves as traditionalists have held the entire community hostage by their practices, condemning the entire community into a compulsory curfew where women particularly are their major targets. We are no longer free to move out of our homes on ‘Onuokachi Day.’
“On this day, motorists are not safe to enter our community; the same thing with visitors and marketers. If it falls on our market day, we are always doomed because we can’t go out to search for what our families will eat,” she said.
Ugwuoke expressed concern that the boys who hide under the Omabe and Akatakpa masquerades parade dangerous weapons like machetes, daggers and guns, which they use to attack their victims.
“We are not against the culture and tradition of our community, but we will not fold our arms and watch masquerades unleash terror on us in the name of culture and tradition.
“These boys parading themselves under the costume of masquerade as spirits forget 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 skirmishes 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, 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.