Police arrest woman for ganging up with children to beat 75-year-old husband

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a middle-aged woman, Esther Obidigwe, and her two children, Ozioma and Obuka, for allegedly beating their 75-year-old patriarch in Awba-Ofemili, Awka North local government area of the state.

The arrest followed a report from the victim, Mr Romanus Obidigwe, which he tabled at the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.

Obidigwe, a retired senior civil servant, while narrating his ordeal at the Ministry, said he had suffered much at the hands of his wife and children, including sexual starvation.

“My family has been in the habit of beating me. In this particular incident, my daughter, Ozioma, sold my firewood without my consent and when I accosted her, she, her mother and brother pounced on me, tied me up, and used a rod to inflict injuries on me.

“It took the intervention of a neighbour before they stopped, after which they locked me out of my compound.

“They have since stopped feeding me which I accepted in good faith, yet, they usually steal from me, especially my first son. He even went to the extent of claiming my benefits at the Local Government Area I retired from.

“Just for peace to reign, I submitted to my wife’s compulsory “no sexual relationship” since the year 2000 till date,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, the first son of the victim, Obuka, denied being present when the incident happened while his wife, Mrs Esther Obidigwe confessed to the crime.

Reacting, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo condemned the act, vowing to ensure justice for the victim, noting that her ministry was not only instituted for women and children but also for the social welfare of all and sundry.

The commissioner disclosed that the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigations and possible prosecution.