The Imo State Government has rescued a widow, Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, who was allegedly forced by her husband’s kinsmen to drink water used in bathing his corpse as a means of proving her innocence over his death.
The incident occurred at Awo-Omamma, in Oru East Local Government Area of the state, and came to light after a women’s advocacy group raised an alarm that prompted swift intervention by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, condemned the act, describing it as a barbaric and dehumanizing widowhood practice that has no place in a modern society.
She expressed shock that such cruel customs still exist, noting that the victim, who was mourning her husband, was subjected to further trauma by being accused of his death and coerced into participating in the ritual.
“This inhumane act is unacceptable. No woman should be humiliated or endangered under the guise of tradition,” Ugwu said.
According to her, officials of the ministry, working with the Chairman of Oru East Local Government Area, security agencies, and some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), successfully rescued Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children.
She added that several arrests had been made in connection with the incident, while investigations are ongoing.
Reacting to the development, the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, ordered a full investigation to ensure that all those responsible are prosecuted.
Ugwu assured that the widow and her children are now under government protection and that normalcy has been restored in the community.