Hundreds of women from Nimo, a community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, staged a naked demonstration at the Anambra State Government House in Awka on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The women were protesting the actions of their traditional ruler, Owelle Max Ike Oliobi, whom they accuse of selling communal lands and engaging in illegal activities that have caused immense hardship in the community.
The protest was a response to long-standing grievances over the alleged illegal sale of ancestral lands by the monarch, which the women claim has robbed them of their primary source of livelihood. The demonstration attracted widespread attention as the women, many of whom were barefoot and holding placards, gathered outside the state government house to demand justice.
The protest was sparked by the sale of farmlands in the community, which the women argue was done without the consent of the people. According to the protesters, the land was vital to the livelihood of the community, with many families relying on farming as their primary means of sustenance. The sale of these lands, the women claim, has left them without a means of livelihood, forcing some into extreme poverty and desperation.
One of the women, Mrs. Ngozi Okochi, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, expressed deep sorrow over the community’s plight. “Our ancestral lands are being sold out indiscriminately without our notice. We no longer go to farm because there is no more land to farm. They want to force us into prostitution,” Okochi said. “They have declared a sit-at-home in Nimo community because we now wake up every day and stay idle at home without any engagement. Farming is our major source of livelihood, and now they have deprived us of that opportunity.”
The protesters’ message was clear: they wanted the government to intervene and remove the traditional ruler, Owelle Max Ike Oliobi, whom they hold responsible for the crisis. The women also sought an investigation into the illegal sale of land, accusing the monarch of colluding with other leaders to exploit the community for personal gain.
In a letter addressed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, the women outlined their accusations against the traditional ruler and other community leaders. They alleged that Owelle Oliobi, in collusion with the President-General of the Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU), Mr. Ekenenna Okafor-Omabor, and members of the royal cabinet, had been selling communal lands without the approval of the community. This, they claimed, had sparked anger and frustration among the youth, whose families depend on the land for survival.
The letter also alleged that the traditional ruler had used his influence to silence opposition by framing dissenters as criminals, including kidnappers, cultists, and arsonists. The protesters claimed that vigilante operatives were being used as a “private army” to intimidate and arrest individuals on unfounded charges, forcing them to pay bribes for their release.
In addition to the alleged sale of farmlands, the women pointed to a controversial deal in which Owelle Oliobi allegedly negotiated with the neighboring Eziowelle community to transfer around 264 plots of land without the owners’ knowledge or consent. This, they argued, was a direct violation of their rights and an example of the ongoing illegal activities taking place under the leadership of the traditional ruler.
The women’s decision to stage a naked protest was an act of desperation and a last resort to draw attention to their plight. In many African cultures, public nudity is considered a powerful and symbolic gesture, often used to express profound distress and demand immediate action. For the women of Nimo, it was a bold statement that they had run out of options and were willing to take extreme measures to make their voices heard.
“We have no other option left but to bare it all before the world and our governor,” one protester, who chose to remain anonymous, told reporters. “If this is what it takes to get help, then so be it.”
The protest caught the attention of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who arrived at the scene along with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne. Prof. Chukwulobelu, visibly moved by the demonstration, expressed sympathy for the women’s situation and assured them that the state government would take swift action.
“I feel bad that this problem persists,” Prof. Chukwulobelu said. “We will take action, and the Commissioner for Local Government will immediately inform the governor about the situation. We will call the principal actors to a roundtable to find a lasting solution to this issue.”
Following the protest, the women submitted their petition to the state government, requesting urgent intervention. The petition was also delivered to the Anambra State House of Assembly through the Chief Whip and Clerk of the House. Hon. Nwabunwanne acknowledged that the crisis in Nimo had been ongoing for some time, dating back to the controversial sale of Owa Land, now known as Obodo Oma Estate. He indicated that the government would involve the Commissioner for Lands to assess the situation and provide clarity on the status of the disputed land.
The Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU), on the other hand, dismissed the protest as the work of “disgruntled elements” and “hired agitators.” In a statement issued last year, the NTDU’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Clems Ezedinachi, defended the sale of land, claiming that it had been approved by the Nimo General Assembly and was being managed by a competent committee for the community’s development.
As the government begins to address the concerns raised by the women, it remains to be seen how the situation in Nimo will evolve. The women’s protest highlights the broader issues of land rights, governance, and accountability in Anambra State. It also raises important questions about the role of traditional rulers and community leaders in safeguarding the interests of their people.
While the leadership of Nimo has yet to respond to the latest protest, the women’s courage in taking such a dramatic stand has brought much-needed attention to the crisis. As the government works to resolve the issue, the people of Nimo continue to hope for a resolution that will restore peace, protect their heritage, and ensure that such injustices are never repeated.
