The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) on Tuesday expressed shock and deep sorrow over harrowing reports of severe domestic violence, multiple rapes, mob torture, attempted murder, and the subsequent banishment of a 34 year old mother of six in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

WACOL said the horrific incident is a gross violation of human dignity, fundamental human rights, and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition [VAPP] Law 2019 of Enugu State.

In a statement by it’s Senior Communication Officer, Ezugwu Bethel, WACOL stated that evidence brought to her attention by the survivor and the Police indicated that the mother of 6 had ensured severe and habitual domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who routinely physically assaulted both her and her mother.

“In a desperate bid for safety, she rented a separate apartment. However, her husband tracked her down, refused to leave her alone, and on the night of July 17, brutally attacked her and chased her out of her new home. When she fled to her mother’s house, the husband pursued her there, threatening to murder her if she remained. Out of options and fearing for her life, she sought refuge with a male customer (a palm kernel trader). Because the trader was married, he took her to a friend’s house for temporary shelter. Tragically, the friend connived with another community resident to hold down the Palm Kernel trader, locked the doors and raped the survivor.

“Following this heinous act, the rapist maliciously locked the kernel trader with the survivor inside the house and ran to inform the victim’s husband of her whereabouts. The husband arrived with a mob, broke down the door, and subjected the survivor to unimaginable horrors”, the statement said.

It continued that the husband publicly raped the survivor while members of the mob restrained the trader who had tried to help her.

WACOL further alleged that after stealing all the money on her, the husband used the money and bought drinks for local youths, men, and women, inciting them to torture the palm kernel seller and the survivor.

The statement added that the victim was saved by Samaritans, stressing that she is currently receiving medical treatment at the police clinic.

The statement alleged that to compound the situation of the lady, the community has banished her and her family, “excommunicating them simply because they reported the perpetrators to the police”

” This victim-blaming and unconstitutional banishment is a gross abuse of power. Furthermore, the whereabouts of the male trader who was tortured alongside the victim remains unknown”, it said

It disclosed that the Police had already made some arrests while several perpetrators have remained at large.

WACOL, while commending the Enugu State Command for their timely intervention, demanded the arrests of the fleeing suspects.

It added that the Police must launch an immediate search and rescue operation for the missing male trader who was attacked by the mob.

It also urged the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to call the tradition ruler and President General of the community to order.

” They must be held accountable for obstructing justice, aiding and abetting criminals, and unconstitutionally banishing the survivor and the family members.

“The police must provide adequate security for the survivor, her sister, and her family, who are currently living in fear for their lives”, it stated.

WACOL maintained that no woman should ever be subjected to such level of barbarism and humiliation, assuring that its legal and psychosocial teams had been activated to support the survivor through her recovery and the pursuit of justice. (The Guardian, excluding headline)

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