By Lucky Isibor
A group of Edo young women under the aegis of Concerned Edo Ladies, have called for the cessation of the killing of young men in Benin City, the state capital and condemned the on-going cult-related violence that has claimed the lives of several youths.
The women who were clad in black held placards with different inscriptions like “Stop killing our husbands,” “End the violence now,” and “Say no to bloodshed,” gathered at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State council secretariat to demand immediate halt to the killings.
The protest which was led by Precious Omoghan Ikponmwen and Ojo Gloria Eki, highlighted the devastating toll the violence is taking on families and communities.
In their statement, the conveners lamented that youths in the state who they described as the future of Nigeria are being senselessly hacked down in the prime of their lives. They called for peace and a peaceful resolution to the on-going conflict, emphasising that the need for reconciliation far outweighs the continued loss of life.
“We have lost husbands, brothers, sons—men who were supposed to be the future of this state. This is not justice, it is destruction.
“The time has come for those responsible for these senseless killings to lay down their arms and seek peace. Our youth deserve to live in a state of harmony where they can thrive, not fear for their lives.”
Sandra Aigbogun, also called Lady Sadoka by friends and admirers, who also participated in the protest shared her concerns over the alarming rise in violence.
“Enough is enough, this is not the Edo we know. It is time to end this cycle of violence. We need peace in our state, for our children, and for our future.”
The group’s call for peace was met with support from the Edo State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, who praised the women for taking a stand against the violence. He highlighted the long-term negative effects the killings could have on the state’s development, particularly the impact on the workforce.
“The bloodshed must stop if we are to progress as a State, we need our youth alive, healthy, and contributing to the development of Edo State. This violence is not only a tragedy but an impediment to the future of our communities”.