Their August Meeting is meant to celebrate development but this year the women of Isu Awa used it to cry out for help.

What should have been a joyful annual gathering in Isu Awa Community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, turned into a protest over growing insecurity.

The August Meeting is an annual gathering that brings Igbo women from within and outside their communities together to discuss issues affecting the welfare and development of their people. In Isu Awa, this year’s meeting became a platform to speak out about fear, destroyed farmlands and the impact of insecurity on their families and livelihoods.

On the third day of the meeting, the women staged a protest, saying they no longer feel safe to farm or move freely, especially around the expressway which is their only access route.

Mrs Chidimma Aniagu recounted how suspected attackers attempted to invade her home the night

Another villager, Mrs Chinyere Ezerikaya, lamented the destruction of farmlands and said parents and schoolchildren are now afraid to move around. She called for the redeployment of forest guards, noting the community was more peaceful when they were previously stationed there.

For Mrs Mercy Eze, the fear has stopped her from even harvesting her crops. She appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to strengthen security through forest guards.

She appreciated the support of Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, the Executive Vice Chairman, Baywood Group and Founder of CBI Digital Media, the owner of CBI News TV. and Empress Baywood Ibe, Deputy Managing Director, Baywood Continental Limited.

Mrs Chukwu Ngozi said she invested heavily in her farm but cannot harvest due to insecurity. She recalled that women had protested over the same issue earlier in the year and said the situation is now stopping indigenes from returning home. While commending the developmental projects of the Enugu State administration, she urged the government to focus on Isu Awa’s security.

The Chairlady of the Isu Awa Women’s Task Force, Pastor Mrs Juliet Ude, explained that farming is their main source of livelihood and many women can no longer go to their farms alone. She said the community does not want youths to confront those linked to the insecurity for fear of violence, and instead appealed to government and security agencies to intervene.

Chairlady, Isu Awa Women’s Task Force

Ijeoma Eze, whose home is close to the community secondary school, said persons linked to the insecurity now live behind her house, creating fear among residents and schoolchildren who are scared to go to school.

As the women marched and chanted, President of Isu Awa Women, Empress Pat Baywood Ibe, alleged that some persons may be receiving information from within the community. She called on the Enugu State Government and security agencies to investigate urgently and protect lives, farmlands and livelihoods.

For the women of Isu Awa, cbinews.tv reports, this is about more than damaged crops. It is about protecting their families, preserving their livelihoods and restoring their freedom to move without fear. They hope their cries will finally bring a lasting security intervention.

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