Security operatives in Anambra State have arrested a mother and her two children for allegedly assaulting their 75-year-old father, Romanus Obidigwe, in the Awba-Ofemmili community of Awka North Local Government Area.
The arrested individuals are identified as Esther Obidigwe, along with her children, Ozioma and Obuka Obidigwe.
The arrest was made public
through a press statement 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 arrest followed a report made by the elderly
victim to the Ministry, revealing that he had endured repeated instances of
physical abuse by his family members.
In recounting his ordeal at the
office of the Commissioner, Mr. Obidigwe, a retired senior civil servant,
described how his family has been habitually violent towards him. He narrated
that the most recent incident occurred when his daughter, Ozioma, sold his
firewood without his permission. When he confronted her about the unauthorized
sale, the three family members allegedly attacked him, tied him up, and beat
him with a rod, causing physical injuries.
Mr. Obidigwe further disclosed
that his family had stopped providing him with food, a situation he accepted
with resignation. He also accused his eldest son, Obuka, of frequently stealing
from him, including attempting to claim his retirement benefits from the local
government office.
The elderly man also shared
that his wife, Esther, had imposed a ban on any sexual relationship since 2000,
a demand he complied with for the sake of maintaining peace in the household.
He explained that the abuse only ceased when a concerned neighbor intervened,
after which he was locked out of his own home by his family.
During the investigation, Obuka
denied being involved in the incident, while his mother, Esther, admitted to
the assault. Ozioma, on the other hand, claimed that her father’s actions toward
her led to the altercation.
Reacting to the incident, the
Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, assured that
the victim would receive justice. She issued a stern warning to the public to
refrain from committing such crimes, emphasizing that the current
administration is committed to ensuring justice for the oppressed. Commissioner
Obinabo reiterated that her ministry is dedicated not only to the welfare of
women and children but also to the protection and social welfare of all
citizens.
At the time of this report, the
trio have been handed over to the police for further interrogation and will be
subsequently charged in court.
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