Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A middle-aged artisan, in Umuahia, Abia State, Mr Lawrence Uzor, has allegedly plucked out his wife’s eyes for rituals.
The incident occured around 2:00am Sunday, while the victim was deep asleep.
The landlady who was said to have rushed out to save the woman when she heard her cries was almost slaughtered by the suspect.
She was, however, lucky to escape but with machete cuts and some of her teeth cut off by machete.
Both victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Umuahia.
The landlady, Madam Lovejane Nwaiwu, narrated her near-death experience when the Governor’s wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti, visited the victims at the FMC on Monday.
She told the Governor’s wife how she had rushed in to know why the man’s wife was crying only for the suspect who had pinned her to the floor with a machete in his hand almost cut off her (landlady’s head) but for providence.
The landlady said: “About 10 pm on Saturday, I heard the man shouting ‘Odogwu, Odogwu (mighty, mighty).’ I was worried as I have not heard the man and his wife, Amarachi Lawrence praying like that.
“I started praying for them. After that. I couldn’t sleep up to about 12 am and was restless. About 1 am, the wife, who is a teacher in a private school started shouting, “Mummy, I have been killed.”
“I opened my door, came out and peeped through their bedroom window and saw the man pressing down on the wife with a knife in his hands.
“I started pushing on people’s gates and calling out to Umueze people, but nobody came out or responded. After all attempts to call neighbours to come and nobody answered me, I went to their parlour door and started knocking on the door and suddenly, he opened the door while holding the knife and tried giving me cuts at the head. But I defended my head with my hand and he cut me at the hand and further slashed the knife at my face that incidentally cut me at the mouth and many of my upper teeth came out.
“I ran into my house and locked the door. while he ran outside, locked our gate and went to a neighbour’s house to tell them that he has killed his wife and his landlord’s wife.
“While inside my room, I called my mother and my daughter, who then called a church neighbour and the community vigilance team who rushed to the neighbour’s house and apprehended him.”
Meanwhile, the Governor’s wife who expressed shock over the dastardly act, vowed to seek justice for the victims.
Mrs Otti said she was deeply saddened by the case just few days after signing the compact agreement with the UNFPA on Gender-based violence.
She said that the suspect would be prosecuted for the cruelty, wondering why a man could unleash such wickedness against his wife.
“This is a terrible case of violence, attempted murder and violence.”
The Abia First Lady assured that the State Government would adequately respond to similar cases, adding that GBV will also take action.
Mrs Otti commended Umueze Ibeku community over their response and prompt action which led to the apprehension of the suspect.
She donated cash for the treatment and upkeep of the victims, assuring them of full support.
Speaking earlier, the Medical Director of FMC, Umuahia Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, who was represented by his Director. Medical Services, Mrs Aisha Onyemaobi, promised that the hospital would offer its best services to ensure full recovery of the victims.
In a remark, Chairman, Umueze Ibeku community cum General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA Umuahia Zone, Titus Ambrose Jonah, described the incident as barbaric.
“It was just like a film that fateful morning. Before that day, the victim and the husband have been living very well as husband and wife.
“It was alleged that a young man in the village took Lawrence to a prayer house, after which Lawrence came back after a visit to a local stream with kolanut, egg and other items.”
