Confusion as black-clad widows stage street protest in Umuahia

There was confusion in Umuahia on Saturday following a protest staged by about 500 widows clad in black attires.

The women, who described themselves as ‘Widows United for the Liberation of Abia’, took to some streets in the state capital in what they called ‘Liberation March’.

The widows, including old and middle-aged women, were heard swearing that it shall not be well with anybody who is against the progress of Abia State.

Holding long sticks and raising their hands in prayers, the women moved from Library Avenue to Okpara Square, before heading to some other parts of the city.

It was not known if they were sponsored or if they gathered from different parts of the state on their own, but a banner they held indicated that they belonged to a group known as ‘The Cry Of The Widows Network, Abia State Chapter’.

The protest led to gridlock on major roads in the state capital as motorists were stuck in traffic.

When approached by the News reporter who covered the protest , the widows who were sweating profusely as a result of hot weather, simply said they would resist any attempt to destroy truth and peace in Abia.

But one of the widows, who identified herself as Cherechi Samuel, said they came out from different parts of Abia to pray for God to take charge of the state.

Cherechi said about 2,000 of their members participated in the protest.