Dozens of women, accompanied by their children, took to the streets of Benin City on Monday, calling for the immediate release of their husbands, who were arrested three weeks ago at Okhorumi community in Oredo Local Government Area.
The women, some with children strapped to their backs, claimed that the arrest of their six husbands had left their families in shambles, with their children forced to drop out of school due to the absence of their breadwinners.
Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the women protested the alleged indiscriminate arrests, insisting that their husbands were innocent.
“We are not here to fight. We came to beg. Our husbands are innocent. Since they were taken away, our children have not been going to school. We just want them back,” said Mrs. Abieyuwa Otasowie, spokesperson for the protesters and wife of one of the detainees.
Otasowie explained that the weapons allegedly found by the authorities were discovered in a public field frequently used by youths from both Okhorumi and neighboring communities for football.
“They searched our houses, they searched the hotels, and they didn’t find anything. The field where they say they found the guns is open to everybody, even those who fight us in the community come there to play,” she said.
The women appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene in the matter, seeking the release of their husbands.
“We are begging the Oba. He is a father to us all. We are pleading because of our children, because of our future,” Otasowie added.
The protesters also urged Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to withdraw the charges against the suspects, which led to their remand at the Oko custodial centre.
The Edo State Police Command had earlier disclosed that the suspects were arrested for alleged possession of illegal arms, ammunition, and a suspected human skull.
