Cross River Women Threaten Naked Protest Over Planned Cocoa Estate Privatisation
Women and youths of Bendeghe Ekiem community in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, to reverse the proposed privatisation of a government-run cocoa estate.
They warned that failure to do so would lead to a cultural protest involving women marching around the plantation unclothed.
The warning followed a protest held on Saturday by the community’s youths and women, who expressed strong opposition to the privatisation plan.
Speaking to reporters, the community’s women leader, Ntunkai Obi, and the women’s chief, Helen Ogar, called for dialogue between the commissioner and community leaders to resolve the matter peacefully.
“We are giving the Commissioner two weeks to respond and come for a dialogue,” Ogar stated. “If he fails to reach out, we will proceed with further action. According to our tradition, when we are ignored, we go to the plantation unclothed, walk around it, and leave it for the government to do as they please.”
Echoing the concerns, Town Council Chairman Mr. Etta Atu-Ojua, along with community youth leader Comrade Tandu Kingsley, urged the commissioner to reconsider the decision. They warned that privatising the estate could lead to increased crime in the area by leaving youths idle.
“The land belongs to us. If they want the cocoa, they can uproot the trees and go,” Atu-Ojua said. “Cocoa is our oil, our gold—no one will take it from us. We’ve seen what happens when our young people have nothing to do. This estate helped restore peace. Without it, many of our youths may return to crime.”
The community demanded that the government withdraw the privatisation plan, initiate dialogue with local stakeholders, and return the land to the community if it no longer intends to manage the estate.
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The youths reaffirmed their commitment to continue protesting until their demands are met, insisting that the estate remains vital to the economic survival and social stability of the community.
