Women protest incessant Cult Killings, say violence turning them into Widows, making marriage difficult – Crime Channels

Women protest incessant Cult Killings, say violence turning them into Widows, making marriage difficult

Hundreds of young women took to the streets of Benin City on Tuesday to protest the rising wave of cult-related killings in Edo State.

The women, aged between 30 and 35, expressed their deep frustration over the violence, which they say has left many of them widowed and made it increasingly difficult for others to find husbands.

Dressed in black, the protesters marched through major parts of the city, calling on the Edo State Government, traditional leaders, religious groups, and security agencies to take immediate action to halt the bloodshed.

Their rally took them to key locations, including the Edo State House of Assembly and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Secretariat.

The women voiced concerns that the ongoing violence, primarily involving young men in cult clashes, is not only claiming lives but also creating a gender imbalance, with fewer men available for marriage.

They warned that if the killings continue, it could lead to a societal crisis where women find it increasingly difficult to marry.

One of the protesters, Miss Precious Ikponmwen, who spoke with Daily Post tearfully shared how the rampant killings have turned women in their 20s and 30s into widows, urging authorities to prioritise the safety of young people and put an end to the violence plaguing the state.

“We are tired of the killings. Many young girls are turning into widows in their 20s and 30s. Almost all Edo State households have been affected. It is difficult to train children as a single parent.

“Those fightings are our husbands and brothers.

“We want government at all levels and security agencies to help us stop these killings,” she appealed.

Miss Ojo Gloria Eki, expressing her belief that the youth are the future and hope of any nation, lamented the tragic loss of young lives to violence, calling it deeply disheartening.