Isiagu Women Raise Alarm Over Alleged Domestic Violence, Seek Urgent Help for Injured Mother of Six

By Chibuzo Obidike

Women of Ogbo Obodobo in Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have raised the alarm over the alleged maltreatment of a woman who they say has suffered repeated domestic violence and is currently struggling to walk properly as a result of injuries allegedly sustained during an assault.

The women are now calling for urgent intervention from the Anambra State Government, relevant government agencies, women focused organisations, human rights groups and well meaning individuals to secure the woman, provide her with medical attention and support her and her children.

The woman, whose identity is being withheld for her protection, is reportedly a mother of more than six children. She is said to have faced years of hardship in her marriage and was allegedly driven from her home after repeated disagreements with her husband, identified as Mr. Nnamdi Ajaezu, a commercial bus driver from Eniko Village, Isiagu.

According to members of the Ogbo Obodobo women, the disagreement reportedly became more intense after the woman raised concerns about family planning, having already had more than six children while the family faced serious economic challenges and lacked a stable source of livelihood.

The women alleged that the man subsequently subjected his wife to repeated physical and emotional abuse, allegedly drove her out of their home, burnt some of her belongings and destroyed equipment at the shop where she sold Akara.

They further alleged that the woman sustained injuries during one of the incidents and is currently unable to walk properly.

The woman, who reportedly hails from Enugu State, is also said to have suffered significant personal losses, including the death of her immediate siblings and her only surviving daughter.

Concerned about her alleged condition and the reported treatment she suffered, members of the Ogbo Obodobo women reportedly began searching for her husband after he allegedly went into hiding.

On Friday, the women reportedly traced him to his residence in Eniko Village and paraded him around the community on a wheelbarrow over allegations of assault and domestic violence.

The women alleged that the reported abuse was not an isolated incident, claiming that the man had allegedly been associated with repeated acts of maltreatment. They further alleged that similar treatment was previously meted out to his late mother, who hailed from Nibo community.

The women have also reportedly warned women in the community against entering into relationships with the man, insisting that allegations of domestic violence must not be ignored or overlooked.

However, beyond the community action, the immediate concern is the welfare and safety of the woman, who is reportedly in need of medical care, protection, legal assistance, psychosocial support and economic empowerment.

The case has therefore generated calls for urgent intervention by the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Police Force, human rights organisations, women focused NGOs, philanthropists and other relevant stakeholders.

The incident has also renewed concerns about the plight of women trapped in abusive relationships, particularly those who lack financial independence and access to immediate support.

Domestic violence is not discipline. It is abuse.