The Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, rescued Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, a widow in Awo-Omamma, from her late husband’s kinsmen who attempted to force her to drink the water used to bathe the corpse to prove her innocence in his death
The Imo State Government has successfully rescued a widow, Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, from her husband’s kinsmen in Awo-Omamma, Oru East LGA, who allegedly tried to force her to drink water used to wash the corpse of her late husband. The kinsmen accused her of being responsible for his death.
The intervention followed an alarm raised by a women advocacy group. Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, condemned the action, calling it an “inhuman widowhood practice that has become outdated,” and “barbaric, cruel, and completely unacceptable in a civilized society.”
Governor’s wife, Chioma Uzodinma, directed an immediate investigation to ensure the culprits “face the full weight of the law.”
The Commissioner confirmed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Local Council and security agencies, facilitated the rescue of Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children, adding, “Normalcy has been restored, and a detailed investigation is underway. Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children are under government protection.” Some arrests have been made in connection with the incident.