A woman has been arrested in Awba Ofemmili, Awka North Council Area of Anambra State, with her two children, for tying up her 75-year-old husband and beating him with an iron rod.
The act, which is considered by many as a sacrilege, was confirmed when the suspects were brought to the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare headquarters, Awka on Tuesday.
The three suspects were arrested, following a report lodged in the Ministry by the victim, Mr. Romanus Obidigwe, who is also a retired senior civil servant.
It was further gathered that the victim had been suffering and enduring several other torments and maltreatment from his wife and children for years before the recent gang-up attack, which occurred after he inquired to know why his firewood was sold without his consent.
Sharing his experience with his family at the office of the Commissioner, Mr Obidigwe, revealed that his family has been in the habit of beating him but what caused the recent incident was that his daughter, Ozioma sold his firewood without his consent.
According to the victim, when he tried to know why she did so, they pounced on him, tied him up, and used a rod to inflict injuries on him.
Obidigwe further revealed that the trio has since stopped feeding him which he accepted as good fate and that they usually steal from him especially his first son, Obuka who had gone to the local government where he retired to claim his benefits.
He bitterly lamented that it was for the sake of peace that he gave in to his wife’s compulsory ‘no sexual relationship’ since the year 2000 till date.
When they were asked why they inflicted injury on their father, his son, Obuka, denied being present when the incident happened while his wife, Esther Obidigwe confessed to the crime, whereas the daughter, alleged that it was what the father wanted to do to her that turned against him.
The Women Affairs boss, Hon. Ify Obinabo, who was visibly furious over the dastardly act, promised to make sure the patriarch gets justice.
“I want to warn our people to desist from crime, as the present administration is out to make sure the oppressed get justice.
“This Ministry is not only meant for women and children but is instituted for the social welfare of everyone,” she said.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the trio has been handed over to the police where they will be interrogated and charged to court.
