A major coalition of women's organizations has issued a strong condemnation following a violent assault on women who were staging a peaceful protest at the Kwara State Government House. The group, Womanifesto, described the incident as a profound failure of the state's duty to protect its citizens.
Protest for Safety Met with Violence
The women had gathered to highlight the severe and worsening insecurity in the Oke-Ode community. Many of the protesters were direct relatives of individuals who had been kidnapped, with some victims reportedly held in captivity for several months. Their demonstration was a personal plea for help, not a political rally.
In a statement signed by its Co-Convener, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, on behalf of more than 300 affiliated women's groups, Womanifesto emphasized the protesters' plight. "These women were not agitators or criminals. They were wives, mothers and caregivers whose lives have been upended by insecurity. Their presence at the Government House was a cry for help," the statement read.
That cry, however, was met with force. Widely circulated video evidence on social media shows men armed with canes chasing and beating the women within the Government House premises. Disturbingly, police officers present at the scene allegedly failed to intervene to stop the attack.
Demands for Accountability and Action
The coalition acknowledged the swift public condemnation issued by the Kwara State Governor, who distanced his office from the violence. However, Womanifesto stressed that words are not enough. "Condemnation without accountability only emboldens perpetrators. If those responsible are not identified and prosecuted, women will become increasingly afraid to speak out, and this pattern of violence will continue," the group warned.
Womanifesto, which is in direct contact with several of the assaulted women, reported accounts of physical assault, harassment, and humiliation. The organization labeled the women's trauma as "real and ongoing" and stated such treatment is unacceptable in a democratic society.
The coalition has presented a clear set of demands to authorities:
- A public explanation of how the attack was allowed to occur.
- The immediate arrest and prosecution of everyone involved in the violence.
- A detailed report from the Kwara State Commissioner of Police on why security personnel failed to protect the peaceful protesters.
- Urgent and transparent action to address the root cause of insecurity in Oke-Ode and to support families affected by abductions.
A Call to End Impunity
"We reiterate that if hoodlums are allowed to act with impunity, women already disproportionately affected by insecurity will continue to suffer in silence," Womanifesto declared. The group reaffirmed its solidarity with the women of Oke-Ode and pledged to continue engaging with authorities until justice is achieved.
The statement concluded with a powerful final message: "The brutalisation of women seeking protection is unacceptable. Silence is not an option. Accountability is non-negotiable." The incident, which occurred recently, has sparked national outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest.
