[Video]
Mrs Chioma Nwaka the housewife who was doused with fuel and set alight by her husband, Sunday Obiozor Nwaka, over alleged infidelity, has died.
The incident which was brought to the fore by a trending video of the woman covered with severe burns, lamenting and crying in agony happened late on Tuesday at Eziezekwe village in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
However, Chioma Nwaka died on Wednesday morning at a nearby hospital where she was rushed to, as a result of the excessive burns she sustained during the incident. Her husband, who was said to have reported himself to the Abagana Divisional Police Station was detained at the facility. He said the act is the work of the devil.
The victim was seen in a viral video footage circulating on social media since Tuesday, scampering for safety while carrying a third-degree burn around her torso and other body areas.
Sources in the area said the suspect accused his wife of infidelity which led to both of them engaging in an intense disagreement and, he reached out for petrol, poured on the victim and set her ablaze.
One of the sources, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent on Wednesday, “The man’s wife had returned home on Tuesday evening after the day’s outing with her supposedly ‘secret lover’ when the angry husband confronted her.
“An altercation ensued during the confrontation and the man reached out for petrol and poured on her and set her on fire.
“The victim had six children and lived with her husband at Eziezekwe village. She was rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to death this (Wednesday) morning.
“The husband who ignited her with fire reported himself to the police station stating that the wife was prostituting with men in the same village and they were using it to abuse him that they were sleeping with her.”
Another source, a family member who also craved anonymity, disclosed that it was passers-by and neighbours who managed to put out the fire from the victim’s body, though it had dealt significant burns on the victim.
“She was then rushed to a medical facility in Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, where she was pronounced dead at around 3 am today (Wednesday).”
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted on Wednesday, confirmed the development, adding that the suspect was in police custody.
Ikenga said, “The suspect is in police custody. But the unfortunate thing is that the victim died this morning (Wednesday). And the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Unit for a comprehensive look.”
Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, has pledged to ensure the incinerating husband faces prosecution.
Just last year, Chioma Nwaka, a mother of five boys who died in pain following her severe third-degree burns, relocated with her family to the village from Jos, Plateau state.
Reacting to the incident via her Facebook wall, Ify Aronu-Okafor wrote:
𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝙐𝗥𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗗*𝗔𝗧𝗛…
ANGER!
The man who burned his wife to death yesterday in Abagana, Anambra, kept saying that he did it because he couldn’t control his temper.
Well, it was reported that the woman died of severe burns at about 3 a.m. earlier today.
The man is now crying but can that bring her back now?
Just like Osinachi Nwachukwu’s case, another woman is gone leaving 5 children motherless, abandoned to a murderous father.
Yet another case of extreme Gender Based Violence – Femicide the gender-motivated killing of women… In September 2024 alone, nine femicide cases were reported across various states, including Ogun, Adamawa, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, and Anambra…
But here’s what’s more worrisome – there’s a woman living with a man who always shouts on her, hits her even, threatening to burn down the house, wishing her dead, calling her unprintable names… A man who’s out of control!
The woman keeps crying and praying for him to change.
But what if the anger boils over and he finally carries out his threats sooner?
Why not take cover first, and pray from afar?
And someone asks, ‘where will she get money to move and co?’
So it’s better to stay and die than to move and do her best to pick up her life?
An Igbo adage goes, “ehi na enweghị ọdụ, chi ya n’achuru ya iji”.
Loosely translated, the God of the helpless shows up for them in times of dire need.
I know that some women in this situation will read my analogy and still choose to stay back no matter what happens…
Activating a counselling unit, help desk and support initiative for women who entertain threats or violence from their partners or spouses has become expedient.
#LeaveToLive
#ENDGBV
Watch the video below.
