When was aba women riot in nigeria

The struggle was ignited by the need to put an end to the abuse of the warrant chiefs, the tax system and the subjugation of women through this means. Nwayereuwa had allies who helped strengthen the colonial resistance and these ladies are called the Oloko trios Ikonnia, Nwannedie, Nwugo — leaders of the ogu umunwanyi- when the protest first began at Oloko in Aba.

The Oloko trios bravely took to a protest demanding what rightfully should be, as it threatened to thwart the norms and traditions of the Igbo system. The taxation system was to be implemented thus the headcount to determine the tax to be paid by each household causing an uprising which spread to other regions affecting the Calabar, Ogoni, and Opobo women. During this uprising, it is believed that over 25, women faced cruelty that had at the least over 50 women killed despite that they did not seriously harm anyone during the riot.

Also, Okugo the warrant chief in charge of the Oloko district was sentenced to jail and women were put in to serve at court. It is consequently a pivotal deed in the history of Nigerians most importantly, in the history of Nigerian women.

It is the hallmark of the feminist struggle in Nigeria, possibly West Africa. Affirmatively they not only spoke for women but for men too who were undergoing poverty due to the tax system because as women they nurture the earth and everyman great and small are born of a woman. It would also be a source of inspiration for Ben N.

Nnamdi Azikiwe proposed a tax system for the men, where women intercepted and matched up to his office in Enugu at which a compromise was made and the talk of taxing was put to rest. Consequently, the protest is remembered for resisting colonialism and acts as the pointer to the beginning of feminism. Having affected so many lives and leaving an impact on all.

The women also attacked European owned stores and Barclays Bank and broke into prisons and released prisoners. They also attacked Native Courts run by colonial officials, burning many of them to the ground. Colonial Police and troops were called in. They fired into the crowds that had gathered at Calabar and Owerri, killing more than 50 women and wounding over 50 others. Dorward, ed.

Previously, new village leaders or heads had been chosen and removed by the people themselves. Decisions were reached informally or through village assemblies. While they had less influence than men, women did control local trade and specific crops. Women protected their interests through assemblies. This was changed by the colonial government, which appointed its agents as warrant chiefs to rule over the people. These British-appointed African judges and tax enumerators abused their position, obtaining wives without paying the full bride prize and seizing property.

The women staged a protest on 24 November Ten thousand women rioted and the demonstrations swept through the Owerri-Calabar districts.

A warrant chief, Chief Okugo, had had to count the population and livestock for taxation purposes. One warrant chief was pushed off his bicycle, his gun was taken away and the women chased him into the bush.

Late in December , the women forced the Umuahia warrant chiefs to surrender their caps, thus launching their successful campaign to destroy the warrant chief system.

Some 25, Igbo women faced colonial repression and, over a two-month period of insurrection, December to January , at least 50 were killed. But this effectively ended the warrant chief system. Brief history.

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