Women from the Mushere community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday staged a dramatic nude protest to express outrage over the removal of their traditional ruler, the Mishkakam Mushere, Julius K. Diblang.
The protest, which took place on April 16, 2026, saw a large group of women storm the council secretariat carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Julius Our Chief,” demanding the immediate reinstatement of the dethroned monarch.
The Plateau State Government had earlier announced the removal of Diblang through the Ministry for Chieftaincy Affairs, citing ongoing insecurity in the chiefdom, allegations of his involvement in communal conflicts, and his inability to curb persistent violent attacks. Authorities also noted that some residents had accused the monarch of being complicit in the unrest.
However, many indigenes of Mushere have rejected the government’s claims, describing the action as a witch-hunt. Supporters argue that the traditional ruler had made significant efforts to restore peace and facilitate the return of displaced persons, insisting that his removal has further destabilised the community.
Tensions have been building since early April, with various groups organising protests calling for Diblang’s reinstatement. Thursday’s demonstration, led by elderly women who marched naked through parts of the community, marked the most striking escalation of the agitation.
Videos circulating on social media captured the women chanting solidarity songs and voicing their grievances, a move widely interpreted within the community as a powerful cultural expression of protest and condemnation.
One of the protest leaders told journalists that the decision to go naked was deliberate and symbolic.
“We had to remove our clothes to protest and demand that our paramount ruler, Mishkakam Mushere, Julius K. Diblang, who was unjustly removed from office, be reinstated immediately,” she said.
She further issued a stern warning to Caleb Mutfwang, urging him to reverse the decision.
“This is a message to the governor that he should return Mishkakam Julius Diblang immediately or face consequences. The world has seen our nakedness, and those who understand our culture know you don’t take a woman’s nakedness for granted,” she added.
The protest underscores growing tensions in the area, as residents continue to call on the government to prioritise security and reconsider what they describe as a controversial decision amid an ongoing crisis.
