ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Gunmen suspected to members of the South East Security outfit code named Ebubeagu reportedly disrupted an already scheduled August meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
The venue of the event, Peoples Club, Abakaliki, was said to have been invaded by Ebubeagu with their official vehicles and guns
The meeting was said to have been convened by over 17 women groups across the 13 local government areas in the state for the empowerment of some women.
It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the venue midway into the meeting, shooting into the air, as the women ran in different directions for their safety.
Sources revealed that some persons were arrested and bundled away from the meeting venue by the gunmen.
Meanwhile, journalists covering the event were chased away.
The gunmen were said to have carted away the canopies and chairs at the venue to an unknown destination.
The women later regrouped and staged a protest in some streets in the city.
The women, while addressing the media, accused the Ebonyi State’s Governor David Umahi of orchestrating the attack which they say was a “desecration of womanhood”.
In a statement signed by Amaka Chukwu and three others on behalf of the protesters, the women described the disruption of the meeting as a violation of their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“This abominable act was carried out by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, through his attack dogs, the Ebubeagu security outfit of Ebonyi State.
“It is not new or alien to the Igbo race that the entire women meet every August to discuss and chart the best possible developmental ideas and projects to improve the well-being and welfare of our people,” they said.
The protesting women said the Governor has a record of working against the women in the state.
“This includes the manhunt for the Ebonyi South APC senatorial aspirant, Princess Ann Agom-Eze who is currently on exile outside for aspiring to serve her senatorial district.
“Two previous disruptions and harassment of Ebonyi women’s lawful gatherings, and today’s attack on Ebonyi Women’s Annual General August Meeting 2022 wherein some persons were abducted by Governor Umahi’s Ebubeagu Security militia and taken to Ebonyi State Government House, beaten up and stripped naked.
“Also, delegates from Afikpo were forced back by another detachment of Governor Umahi’s Ebubeagu militia who fired sporadically at the hapless women.”