Women Protest Massacre Of 59 Students In Yobe

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Ayo Balogun, Lagos

Hundreds of women in Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday protested the killings of 59 school children in Yobe State and the abduction of 25 girls in Bornu State by Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

They were all dressed in attires as they mourned the demise of the students that were. The protesters, carrying placards took off at the Lagos Television ground, Ikeja and walked to the Lagos House, Ikeja.

The peaceful protest was initiated by Nigerian Women Mourn, with the support of Women Arise Initiative and other women Non-Governmental Organisations, NGO.

The women carried placards, some of which read: “Nigerian women mourn, stop the killing of our children,” “Never again shall the blood of our children be spilled,” “Stop the killing and abduction, Nigerian women and mothers say,” “Our children cry for justice,” “United we stand against murdering of our children,” “Enough of senseless killings,” “No to murder,” “Our children’s murderers must be brought to book,” “Stop the killing,” “God help Nigeria,” “Stop the slaughtering of our children” and “Make Nigeria safe for our children.”

“We are particularly moved by the senseless killing of innocent children in the Federal Government College, Yobe and the abduction of 25 girls from their schools in Bornu. We commiserate with the families of the slain children, women and men of Adamawa and Bornu States and join in solidarity to say ‘no more! Enough is enough of the killings.

“We are saddened that this situation has been left to fester for so long with no noticeable resolution on the part of government and related bodies. We are calling on the government to quickly identify lasting solutions to end the mayhem and bloodshed; to ensure that members of the affected communities, particularly women are included at the decision-making table,” said the Convener, Nigerian Women Mourn, Laila St. Matthew Daniel.

Matthew appealed to the government to provide adequate protection and security for citizens of Adamawa, Bornu State and other locations experiencing insecurity and to provide adequate compensations for victims and survivors, particularly women and girls.

“There is need for the Boko Haram sect to cease the unnecessary destruction, wanton killings and abduction of citizens,” she stated.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode, a speaker, said it was sad that innocent children were killed in Yobe State and called on the government to take drastic measures to halt this needless carnage in northern Nigeria.

“We are sad about this, we are sad because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, everyday, we see our mothers, children and fathers die. We are united as Nigerians against this dastard act. We call on the Nigerian government to come up with a national strategy to deal with this,” she said.

National President, Women Arise Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin stated that the protest became necessary to halt the wanton killings of children by Boko Haram.