Anambra Woman, Two Children arrested for beating elderly husband over firewood

Security operatives in Anambra State have arrested a woman and her two children for assaulting her 75-year-old husband, Romanus Obidigwe, in the Awba-Ofemmili community, Awka North Local Government Area.

The suspects, identified as Esther Obidigwe and her children, Ozioma and Obuka Obidigwe, were taken into custody following a report made by the victim to the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

The incident was detailed in a press statement released on Wednesday by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the Media Aide to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.

According to the statement, the victim, a retired senior civil servant, recounted that his family had repeatedly abused him physically. The most recent incident occurred when his daughter, Ozioma, sold his firewood without his permission. When he confronted her, she and the other family members allegedly tied him up and beat him with a rod, inflicting serious injuries.

Mr. Obidigwe further revealed that his family had stopped providing him with food, which he accepted, and accused his son, Obuka, of stealing from him, including claiming his retirement benefits without his knowledge. He also lamented that his wife had imposed a “no sexual relationship” rule since 2000, which he had accepted for the sake of peace.

The victim explained that a neighbor’s intervention stopped the assault, after which his family locked him out of his own home. During questioning, the son, Obuka, denied being present during the attack, while the wife, Esther, admitted to the crime. The daughter, Ozioma, claimed that the father’s actions had provoked the attack.

In response to the incident, Commissioner Ify Obinabo vowed to ensure that justice is served. She urged the public to refrain from criminal behavior, emphasizing that the ministry is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals, not just women and children.

The suspects have been handed over to the police for further interrogation and will face charges in court.