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An artisan identified as Lawrence, from Bende LGA but resident of Umueze in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, has been apprehended and handed over to the Police for allegedly trying to remove his wife’s eyes for suspected ritual purposes.

The artisan, who is a dealer in Aluminium, was said to have attacked his wife, Amarachi Lawrence when she was still asleep, causing damage to her eyes, head and hands.

The suspect who is now being held by the Police, was said to be living in peace with his wife whom he married from Atta Emede Ibeku, before his sudden change in character after allegedly returning from a prayer house in Aba.

It was gathered that the landlady to the couple, Mrs Lovejane Nwaiwu, who was woken up by the cries from the wife of the suspect, tried to save her but was instantly dealt a machete blow which cut off her upper lip and also inflicted deep machete wound in her hands.

However, youths of Umueze who were attracted by the cries from the two women, apprehended Lawrence and later handed him over to the Police for investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, the wife of Abia State Governor, Priscilla Otti, has visited the two victims at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia where she called on legal institutions and security agencies to swiftly implement laws and measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence.

Mrs Otti who spoke to journalists after her visit, said that she swung into action immediately the matter was brought to her knowledge.

She pointed out that she was at the hospital to assess the condition of the victim and explore how the government could support for her treatment, adding that she made some cash donations to Mrs Amarachi Lawrence.

The Abia Governor’s wife vowed that anyone who is implicated as an accomplice in the attempted murder of the two women would be prosecuted

She acknowledged the quick roles played by the traditional ruler of Emede Ibeku, Eze Allen Okpokiri, and youths of Umueze and Emede communities in intervening and reporting the incident, assuring that the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) would be defeated in the State.

A message sent to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, to confirm if the suspect is being held by the Police has not been replied as at the time of filing this report.