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The protesting women
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Disturbed by the increasing wave of insecurity in the country which has made live very difficult for most vulnerable Citizens, Women groups in Bauchi state decried the unabated rate of committance of crimes and criminality.
The women joined their counterparts from other states of the federation to participate in the ongoing campaign against the high level of insecurity bedevilling Nigerian communities most particularly the rural dwellers who have been rendered helpless.
The women groups, under an initiative tagged “Secure our Lives”, gathered together to decry the persistent new trend of crimes in the form of kidnapping, armed banditry, sexual assault and gender based violence as well as other heinous crimes perpetrated against innocent citizens.
The groups organized a peace dialogue for women through a Bauchi based NGO, Attah Sisters Helping Hand Foundation (ASHHF) in partnership with Empowerment Initiative for Global Change, funded by the “Secure our Lives” initiative at the weekend in Bauchi.
Mrs Esther Patrick, from the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development while speaking, said that they are protesting peacefully in order to drive home their demand for the government and security agencies to take more decisive measures to mitigate the spate of killings and kidnappings in the country.
Esther Patrick who sounded bitter and worried about the situation, said that the spate of crime pervading communities has a direct negative effect on women, aged and children, who majorly form the must vulnerable groups in any society.
She also urged the security agencies to institute a dedicated team towards investigations of killings and kidnappings and always keep the general public informed on their findings.
She advised that, “The team should regularly update the public on the status of protecting women, children and holding criminals accountable in the country,” .
Lending her voice on the dialogue, an activist, Mrs Grace Maikudi noted that security is the first obligation of government towards its citizens stressing that failure in that constitutional responsibility amounts to negligence in protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
She lamented that households were no longer safe due to continued apprehension on who is going to be next victim of the criminals.
According to her, “Our communities are under siege by criminals and our government is not doing enough to protect us. Our husbands, children and relatives are being slaughtered like rams on a daily basis, and the government is just watching, without taking necessary actions”.
Grace Maikudi further said that, “Children are being raped, women are being raped, people are being killed, governments at all levels need to step up their responsibilities and protect lives and properties. How long is this going to continue? Enough is enough, we are tired of killings and must end for God sake”.
In an interview shortly after the stand still peaceful protest, the executive director of ASHH Foundation, Comfort Attah said that it has become imperative to register their disaffection with the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Comfort Attah added that, “We just can’t fold our arms and do nothing. Because most of the gender class that are hard hit in such insecurity situations are the women and children”.
“We are calling on our security agencies at all levels to redouble their efforts towards curtailing crime and criminality in our communities for the sake of the most vulnerable groups”, Comfort Attah further called.
Also speaking, Mrs Dinatu Stephen, another woman activist, urged the security forces, as well as government at all levels to rise up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties.
Dinatu Stephen added that, “In this country today, people cannot sleep with their two eyes closed, this heart wrenching and callous attitude of criminals must stop, enough of this terrifying situation.Therefore, we are calling the attention of the government to do the needful” .
“We are also calling on all Nigerians to speak up against these deadly acts, and advocate for rigorous security presence in the communities. “She stressed.
Dinatu Stephen then urged the government at all levels to implement policies that would enhance business activities to eschew insecurity challenges in the country.
