A widow, Mrs Chika Ndubuisi, has narrowly escaped harmful traditional widowhood practice that could have brought tragedy to her family in Imo State.
This followed attempts by her husband’s kinsmen, who allegedly attempted to force her to drink the water used in bathing his corpse to prove her innocence over his sudden death.
According to Naija News, the recent incident happened at Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area, the Couple lived before tragedy struck.
Sources said Mrs Ndubuisi was previously detained with her husband’s corpse after being accused of causing his death. Her in-laws allegedly insisted she must drink the corpse’s bathwater to prove her innocence.
Women’s advocacy group, a non Governmental Organization brought the incident to light, prompting the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to takeover the case, which has also been reported to police.
Nkechinyere Ugwu, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady, condemned the act, describes the development as an “inhuman widowhood practice” that should have no place in society.
“It is shocking that such practices still exist in today’s society. A widow, who is already traumatized by the loss of her husband, was being forced by his kinsmen to undergo this barbaric and cruel ritual. It is completely unacceptable in a civilised world”, according to the official.
In the meantime, Chioma Uzodinma, the wife of the State Governor, has directed a comprehensive investigation to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.
The distraught widow, and her children had been placed under government protection, while arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
“Normalcy has been restored, and a detailed investigation is underway. Mrs Ndubuisi and her children are under government protection”, the Governor’s wife who lauded the swift intervention of the commissioner, the Local Council chairman, security operatives, and local NGOs that halted the act” from escalating.
Leave a Reply