By Isaac Mission
The Women's Aid Collective (WACOL) has denounced the alleged abuse of a 34-year-old mother of six in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, describing the reported acts as serious violations of human rights and a breach of the Enugu State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
In a statement issued by the organisation's Senior Communication Officer, Ezugwu Bethel, WACOL said the survivor had allegedly suffered years of domestic violence from her husband, who was also accused of attacking her mother during the course of the abuse.
According to the organisation, the woman fled the marital home and rented another apartment in an effort to escape the violence. However, on July 17, her husband allegedly located her, assaulted her again and forced her to leave the residence.
WACOL said she later sought safety at her mother's home, where her husband allegedly threatened to kill her if she remained there. She subsequently found temporary refuge with a palm kernel trader, who later arranged for her to stay at a friend's house because he was married.
The organisation alleged that the arrangement took a tragic turn when the friend, with the assistance of another resident, restrained the trader before sexually assaulting the woman. It further claimed that the suspect confined both the trader and the survivor before alerting the woman's husband to their location.
WACOL alleged that the husband arrived with a group of people, forced his way into the house and sexually assaulted the woman while members of the group restrained the trader, who had tried to protect her.
The organisation also claimed that the husband collected the survivor's money, bought drinks for members of the community and encouraged them to physically assault both the woman and the trader.
According to WACOL, the woman was eventually rescued by concerned individuals and is currently receiving medical treatment at the police clinic. The organisation also expressed concern that the trader who assisted her has not been seen since the incident, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to locate him.
WACOL further alleged that after the case was reported to the police, community members banished the survivor and her family, describing the action as unlawful and an attempt to obstruct justice.
The group disclosed that some suspects have been arrested, while others remain on the run. It commended the Enugu State Police Command for its swift response and appealed for the arrest of the remaining suspects.
In addition, WACOL called on the police to provide adequate protection for the survivor, her sister and other members of her family, who it said now fear for their safety.
The organisation also urged the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to investigate the alleged roles of the community's traditional leadership in the reported banishment and any actions that may have hindered justice.
WACOL said it has deployed its legal and psychosocial support teams to assist the survivor as she recovers from the ordeal and pursues justice through the appropriate legal channels.
