Nigerian women march against violence

Women from Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta marched this weekend (March 10th to 11th) in protest against the increasing violence in the region.

The group, Mothers Against Violence, are calling on the church and government to wake up to the escalating conflict that has claimed 65 lives in the last fortnight.

Since January last year, over 150 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta as competing factions continue to fight against government forces, oil multinationals and each other.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Mothers Against Violence said Port Harcourt is “already noted for political violence and cult activities” and fears the violence will proliferate in the run up to the general election, due to be held in April.

"There are reports of proliferation of small arms, general state of insecurity, intra and inter party conflict and indiscriminate shooting and killings such as the one that rocked Diobu last week," it continued.

The group also called for youths to shun gangs and turn in their weapons in favour of peaceful negotiations.

Since 1999, when military rule ended, 14,000 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the west African state, according to Reuters.

The upcoming elections will mark Nigeria’s full transition to democracy but have been marred by violence as competing clans and militias wrestle for control of the country’s rich natural resources.