UNREST IN NIGERIA

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 9

UNREST IN NIGERIA

LOOTING AND RIOTING

WOMEN SHOT IN SUPPRESSION

British Official 'Wireless.

(Received 19th December, 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, 18th December.

Questioned regarding .native unrest in South-eastern Nigeria, Dr. Shiels, TTnder-Secrptary for the Colonies, said that, according to the scanty information received, the cause of the disturbances was an assessment which involved counting the women in certain districts. This gave rise to a wholly unfounded rumour that it was intended to impose direct taxation on women and the recent lowering of prices paid.by merchants for native produce was a further contributing factor. On 11th December large crowds assembled, and, despite assurances that there was no intention of taxing women, proceeded to loot and destroy property at various places in the. neighbourhood of Aba and Opobo. Additional police were brought in to deal with the'situation. and wove reinforced, by detachments of the Royal AVest African Frontier Force. On 15th December the Governor reported that there were sufficient troops and police on the spot to'deal with the situation. On the 16th he that'it had been necessary to introduco additional troops and police, and the rioters had attacked officials at Opobo, where it had been necessary for the police to fire, causing 18 casualties which, he regretted to say, were all women. It was not stated how many were fatal. Tho districts in question i were a long way from headquarters and the people were still largely in primitive conditions. It would probably be some time before the situation became quite clear. Telegraphing last night, the Governor reported that the situation round Aba was now satisfactory, and every effort was being made to avoid further bloodshed.