Hundreds of women from Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State staged a massive protest on Wednesday, decrying the alarming rise in kidnappings that has plagued their area.
The protesters, frustrated by the deteriorating security situation, marched through major roads, blocking the 9th Mile-Eke-Ezeagu and Eke-Akpakwume-Nze routes, to demand urgent government intervention.
Chanting slogans and expressing their anger, the women lamented the continuous threats posed by kidnappers, which have forced them to abandon their farms
In a video , the women are heard accusing Fulani herdsmen of being responsible for the abductions that have thrown the community into turmoil.
“Kidnappers have dealt with Eke people.
They are kidnapping us one by one. Eke women no longer go to their farms. What crime have we committed?” one of the women said, echoing the sentiments of many others who joined the protest
The women also accused Nigerian soldiers of exacerbating the situation, recalling an incident in which soldiers reportedly killed members of the community’s Neighbourhood Watch who had responded to a distress call regarding a kidnapping.
Eke, a community known for its agricultural produce, has been gripped by fear, as kidnappings have disrupted daily life and made farming nearly impossible.
The region, once thriving with cassava, yams, and cashew farming, now faces economic strain as residents fear venturing into their farmlands.
The protesters called on the Enugu State government to take swift and decisive action to address the escalating insecurity.
According to community members, the kidnappings have become a near-daily occurrence, leaving many residents feeling abandoned and unprotected.
“This protest is a cry for help. We need the government to step in before more lives are lost and our community is completely destroyed,” one of the women declared during the protest.
The Udi Local Government Area, which encompasses 17 villages, including Eke, Ngwo, and Obioma, is renowned for its natural aquifer that supplies water to Enugu State and beyond.
However, the recent wave of violence and kidnappings threatens the stability and livelihood of its residents.
The protest underscores the desperation within the community for enhanced security and protection.
Many fear that without government intervention, the situation could spiral further out of control, leaving more families in despair and the once-vibrant farming hub desolate.
Residents are calling on the authorities to prioritize their safety and restore peace in the region before the kidnappings claim more victims.
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