Into The DepthsPodcast

Britain’s Farewell Bullets

Into The Depths: Episode 1


On February 13, 1958, hundreds of women from different communities in Epie, a kingdom in southern Nigeria, trooped out in a protest that had lasted many days. Some of them who were nursing mothers had their babies tied to their backs. Some were pregnant. They demanded free education and spoke against the proposed policy to tax women. But the British colonial authorities responded with force. Security agents opened fire on the protesters. Many of them were arrested. Villages were looted and burnt. People became displaced. Some lost their lives. But stories of this incident have barely been documented. They are passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. The victims of the savagery from the colonial forces have been reluctant to share their experiences.

However, 65 years later, HumAngle is able to piece together what happened based on interviews with multiple eyewitnesses, families of victims, and others who have studied the events.


This story was reported by Godson Etete and scripted by ‘Kunle Adebajo.

Hosted by Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu and ‘Kunle Adebajo.

Produced by ‘Kunle Adebajo.

Fact-checking by Godson Etete.

Mixed by Anthony Asemota.

Executive Produced by Ahmad Salkida.

Voice acting by Franklin Ayakiri, Mark Giabo, and Weridongha Rita.

Transcription by Thomas Somutamadu Clever.

Fixing, research, and reporting assistance from Ayebaitari Tekena, Elder Jubilee Atigbamo, H.R.H. King Sunday T. Charles (Ugu VII), His Highness Sinteh Ebiye Golden, Hon. Barr. Sogbeye Clement Eli, Prof. C.M. Sorgwe, Samuel James Eugene, and Sokey Fubara.

Festival music by Favour Band.

Music licensed from Epidemic Sound.

Summary not available.


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Contact Us

'Kunle Adebajo

Head of Investigations at HumAngle. ‘Kunle covers conflict alongside its many intricacies and fallouts. He also writes about disinformation, the environment, and human rights. He's won a couple of journalism awards, including the 2021 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism, the 2022 African Fact-checking Award, and the 2023 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.

Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu

Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu is the Managing Editor at HumAngle. She researches and investigates terrorism & insurgency and its human cost and aftermath, particularly how they affect transitional justice issues, displacement, migration, and women. She is a 2023 Pulitzer Centre grantee, a 2023 International Women Media Fund awardee, and a 2022 Storify Africa fellow, among several others.

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