Ilorin, Nigeria — A recent protest by women demanding government intervention in ongoing abductions has sparked outrage following a violent attack by unidentified individuals. The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights has sharply criticized the incident, labeling it a serious breach of human rights and a significant threat to democracy in Nigeria.
The protest took place at the Kwara State Government House, where women from the Oke-Ode community gathered to voice their concerns over the kidnapping of their loved ones. According to Alex Omotehinse, president of the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, the peaceful demonstrators were expressing deep distress over the prolonged suffering inflicted by these crimes.
Disturbing video footage from the event captures the moment an elderly woman, visibly distraught, makes a heartbreaking plea, saying, “They have abducted us all in Oke-Ode.” Behind her, fellow protesters held up placards demanding action. Shortly after, the scene escalated as men armed with canes violently disrupted the gathering.
Omotehinse characterized the attack as “barbaric” and “cowardly,” emphasizing that the group of women posed no threat to public safety. “These were grieving mothers, wives, and daughters desperate for justice and help,” he said. He condemned the failure of security forces to intervene, suggesting that their inaction not only reflects negligence but may indicate a deeper complicity in the violence.
The organization defined the attack as a grave contradiction to the principles of governance and the rule of law. “When peaceful citizens are assaulted for demanding protection, it signifies a dangerous erosion of our democratic framework,” the organization stated. The silence from government authorities regarding the plight of these families has left them feeling abandoned, prompting their desperate call for action.
CHSR has warned against normalizing violence toward protesters, stressing that Nigeria must not tolerate a climate where victims of crime are silenced through force, while offenders operate freely. The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, and any efforts to curtail this right through intimidation and violence should be vehemently opposed.
The organization is urging both the Kwara State Government and the federal authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hold accountable those responsible for the attack. They also demanded a public report from security agencies present at the scene, insisting that those who ordered or abetted the assault must be prosecuted.
As the nation grapples with rising insecurity, this incident highlights the urgent need for governmental accountability and effective protection for those who seek to speak out against injustices. Without appropriate measures to address these concerns, Nigeria risks further destabilization and erosion of public trust in its institutions.