By Kevwe Ebireri, Abuja
Nigeria women at home and in the Diaspora on Thursday staged a peaceful walk to mourn the death of over 40 school children of the Federal Government College, FGC, Buni Yadi in Yobe State and other senseless killings of innocent citizens in the north.
The women also condemned the abduction of 25 young girls from their schools in Borno State by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect on February 12, 2014 to an unknown destination, probably to be used as sex slaves.
The walk which took off from the various designated areas in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, the U.S.A and the UK at 8:30am local time, was to compel the federal government to act quickly and put an end to the destruction of lives and properties in the Northeast.
In Abuja, the walk took off from the Unity Fountain to the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and the ministry of Justice, where the women registered their grievances.
The concerned women, of various ethnic, religion and political backgrounds took turns in condemning genocide in the north which they warned could spread to other parts of the country if urgent steps are not taken now.
“We are crying because the womb that gave birth to these children are troubled. If our husbands die and our children die, what would be left? If they want women to take our clothes off and go on the streets, if that is what we need to do, we will do it,” one protesting woman said.
Her speech elicited cheers and applauds from other women showing support for her position, with chants of “Enough is Enough”.
The women also called on the federal government to ensure that members of affected communities, particularly women, are included at the decision-making table and that adequate compensation is provided for victims and survivors.
They also want security measures put in place so that well-meaning Nigerians can extend aids to victims to complement the efforts of the government.
Calls were also made to members of the terrorist group to cease the unnecessary destruction, wanton killings and abduction of citizens.
Nigerians were urged to continue to use this season of lent to pray for the unity of the country and especially for citizens of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
A minute silence was observed for the dead victims of terrorism in the Northeast.
In separate remarks through their spokespersons, chairman, NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu and the Attorney General of the federal and minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, commended the women for the bold step and assured them that their complaints which raise serious human rights concerns, is top priority for the administration and that all hands are on deck to put an end to the insurgency.