Medical Women, Others Condemn Kidnappings In Calabar

• Organise protest march

BY UBON EKANEM – The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Cross River chapter and other women organisations have raised an alarm over the increasing incidents of kidnappings in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

To demonstrate their anger, the women groups filed out on Tuesday in a peaceful street protest to rally public support in condemnation of this disturbing criminal act in the state.

Among the protesting women groups were International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL), Holy Child Old Girls Association (HCOGA), Nigerian Women of Journalists (NAWOJ) and Presbyterian Women (PCNW).

Spearheaded by MWAN, the peaceful march saw the groups going round some major routes in Calabar metropolis with the women carrying a big banner, placards and chanting solidarity songs.

Giving reasons for the peaceful march, President of MWAN in the state, Dr Bassey Nakanda, said it was meant to sound the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders out on the urgent need to end cases of kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

Nakanda said medical women have continued to suffer constant harassment and incessant kidnappings in the state with the recent case being that of Dr Vivien Otu, adducted on August 28 and released on the night of September 3, 2020 in Calabar

According to her, “Medical women and others have become victims of kidnapping in Calabar and this act is totally condemnable.

“When it comes to kidnapping, the trauma that women go through lives with them forever; they are beaten, raped and humiliated.”

“We are all aware that they have been several cases of kidnapping in Calabar and as women, we need to stand up, speak and fight for ourselves. Calabar used to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria but we are now leaving in fear.

“We need to visit the government, royal fathers and security agencies to register our complaints,” she said.

When the protesters made a stopover at the popular Watt Market roundabout, the MWAN President said it has become imperative to openly demand the state government takes full responsibility in providing security for all residents in the state.

“The government owe us a responsibility of security and they have to rise up to that responsibility,” she said.

She urged all residents in the state to always report abnormal movements of suspected persons around them to security agencies for necessary action.

In her intervention, Mrs Agnes Otu, representing the Holy Child Old Girls Association, charged the Cross River state government and relevant security agencies to always be proactive in safeguarding lives and property of all those residing in the state – With NAN reports