By Koplu Naanjwan Kevin.

The recent protests by women in Kerang and Mangu LGA, where alcoholic drinks were destroyed and clashes with military personnel occurred, raise significant questions about the appropriate response to perceived societal harms. While the women’s concerns about the impact of these drinks on their families are understandable, their methods warrant careful scrutiny. My observations of these events, drawn from videos circulating on social media showing women in Kerang clashing with the military few weeks ago and more recently, women in Mangu invading Choice Garden Mangu as video seen on Panret Zughumbish Facebook page to destroy drinks without apparent intervention, prompt the following critical questions:

1. Legitimacy of Businesses vs. Destruction of Property: Are the businesses selling these alcoholic drinks operating legitimately? If so, the women’s actions of invading premises and destroying products, even under the guise of protest, are unlawful. No individual or group has the right to unilaterally destroy the property of a legitimate business, as this contravenes the right to own movable and immovable property guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Even if a business is deemed illegitimate, the correct course of action is to petition the appropriate authorities, not to take the law into one’s own hands, in line with the principles of the rule of law and due process.

2. Product Regulation and NAFDAC Approval: Are these specific alcoholic drinks registered with NAFDAC? If they are, it implies that the Nigerian government, through NAFDAC, has certified them as safe for public consumption, provided they are consumed responsibly. NAFDAC’s role in regulating these products is established under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act. If the drinks are not NAFDAC registered, then the proper channel is to report this to NAFDAC for investigation and enforcement, rather than resorting to vigilantism.

3. Adult Responsibility and Choice: Are the primary consumers of these drinks adults? Once an individual reaches 18 years of age, they are legally responsible for their own decisions, including the consumption of alcohol. Sellers of legitimate products do not typically force consumption. While concerns about minors are valid and require strict enforcement against underage sales, the focus should also be on personal responsibility among adults.

My Opinion: In my view, even though I do not support alcohol consumption, the women’s approach is akin to “cutting down a tree from the branches instead of uprooting it.” Instead of destroying legitimate businesses and products, a more effective and lawful strategy would be to:

Engage with Husbands/wives and Children: Prioritize direct communication and counseling within their own families to address alcohol consumption.

Petition Authorities: Channel grievances through established legal and regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and local government.

What Should Be Done (Recommendations):To foster a more constructive resolution, I believe the following steps are crucial:

Enlighten the Protesting Women: They need to be educated on the legal boundaries of protest, the rights of business owners, and the potential for legal repercussions (e.g., being sued for damages for destroying NAFDAC-approved products).

Regulate Distribution and Sales: Stricter enforcement of regulations ensuring alcoholic drinks are only sold to adults.

Consumer Education: Implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to enlighten consumers about the health dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and why they need to make responsible choices.

These recommendations are firmly rooted in the principles of the Nigerian Constitution and relevant laws, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, respecting property rights, and utilizing established channels for addressing grievances.

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Opinion: Protests in Mangu/Kerang – A Critical Look at Community Action, Legality, and Responsibility