A video of a widow being tied and flogged with whips and sticks by members of her community in Umueghu, Amaegbuato community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state, has been shared online.
Activist, Harrison GwamnishuHarrison Gwamnishu, who shared a video, said the widow was assaulted after her late husband’s brother’s wife accused her of being a witch. The widow has been identified as Mrs Amarachi Okechi.
The video showed the widow sitting on the floor with her hands tied behind her. Her legs were also bound with rope.
An activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who shared the horrifying video of the assault on his Facebook page, wrote:
“When I talk about widow protection, I’m not asking for too much. Our mothers suffer the most from child delivery.
“Mrs Amarachi Okechi, a widow was accused of witchcraft by her late husband’s brother’s wife.”
Gwamnishu also slammed the people of the community for the action, describing what they did as unjust.
“If you are from Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state, your community did this to this woman.
“Even when the woman was begging and telling them she’s innocent, they tied her hands to her back, tied her two legs, flogged and filmed her.
“Her children reached out to the Behind Bars and we have decided to take this matter up no matter what it will cost us.
“This is barbaric and should be condemned by all.”
“#Attention: Please help us tag the wife of Abia State Governor,” he also wrote.
Meanwhile, reports have it that the wife of the Governor of Abia state, Deaconess Nkechi IKpeazu, has rescued the widow
Chief Press SecretaryChief Press Secretary to the wife of the Governor, Mr Chika Ojiegbe, stated that the widow has been rescued and taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.
“When the First Lady Nkechi Ikpeazu heard about it last night, she immediately swung into action to rescue the widow. In Abia, we have a robust mechanism for responding to cases of gender-based violence put in place by the First Lady.
“No matter how severe a case is, it is treated individually according to its circumstances. Several stakeholders were involved in securing the widow alive which is the first action that needed to be taken,” he added
See the video below for reactions.
