Nigerian Women Have Taken to the Streets to March Against the Serial Killing of Women

Hundreds of Nigerian women have taken to the streets in protest of the the spate of murders that have taken the lives of eight women in various Port Harcourt hotels thus far. Dressed in in black clothing and holding placards denouncing the femicide in a scene quite similar to the protests led by South African women last week, Nigerian women are demanding that the police as well as the government do more to protect the women living in Part Harcourt especially. The BBC reports that the police have arrested two individuals who are thought to be suspects in the killings.

While news on the protests is still developing, footage of and commentary on the protests has been posted onto various social media platforms under #ProtectPHGirls.

This past Saturday, a teenage woman was found strangled in her hotel room with her arms and legs bound in a similar manner to the seven women who were killed before her. In light of this, those living in the oil-rich state now believe that a serial killer targeting young women is now on the loose.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Chuks Enwonwu, said that, "In as much as societal values are disintegrating, we must go back to try to educate them (women) and discourage them from going into prostitution because that is how they fall victim to these crimes." However, the protesting women have demanded that all women, including sex workers, deserve protection and justice.