Thousands Protest In Lagos Over 234 Abducted Chibok Girls

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Monday, May 5th, 2014

Ayo Balogun, Lagos

Thousands of women protested vehemently in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria this morning over the abduction of 234 Secondary School girls at Chibok girls in Borno State.

The protesters with placards marched from Allen Roundabout, Awolowo Way down to the State House, Ikeja to express their grievance. There was traffic gridlock on Awolowo Way as the protesters marched along the road singing and demanding for the release of the children.

Some of the protesters Monday morning

The protest, organised by Women for Peace and Justice in Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter comprises various women coalition groups, accompanied by their men counterpart, including Mr. Femi Falana.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “Our future leaders are missing, bring them back,” “Chad, Cameroon and Niger, stop enabling criminals,” “We want our girls back alive,” “Save innocent girls,” “Enough is Enough,” “234 girls, Haba!” “FGN, Free the Chibok Girls,” among others.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, former Attorney General of Lagos State, Retired Justice Wonu Folami said the protesters were at the state house to express their grievances over the abduction of the girl in Borno State.

“Our children have been brutally murdered. Over 200 girls are kidnapped, this is very sad that nothing is being done about it. It is sad that the government does not even know the number of girls that are missing.

“We want security to be redoubled immediately. We want them back alive and without them, there can be no tomorrow. Fashola should double his effort to provide security in Lagos Stste as there are insinuations that they might strike here,” she said.

According to Femi Falana, “we demand from the federal government for the immediate release of these girls. Lagos State Government should help us to appeal to the federal government to take immediate action for the release of the girls.”

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who received the protesters said the state government would walk with the federal government to ensure the girls were released, saying it is disheartening to hear that 234 girls had been kidnapped.

“We are pained as mothers for this to be happeing to our gurls. We will do our best to ensure that they are released. All of us should pray and fast for the release of these children because we believe God can do it.

“From tomorrow, Lagosians can observe three days fasting and prayer to pray for the release of these girls. We need divine intervention. Let us lend our voices to God to release these children,” she stated.

Spokesperson of the protesters, Aisha Oyebode said the essence of the protest was that the women wanted to girls to be returned unharmed by their captors.

She said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that they were rescued and brought back home immediately.

“The longer it takes to rescue our girls, the greater the dangers they are exposed. The lack of action is unacceptable, the growing insecurity is worrisome and we as Nigerians demand an immediate and complete end to the politicization of insecurity in this country,” she stated.