The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, has rescued a widow, Mrs Amarachi Okechi, who was assaulted at Umueghu Amaegbuato community over witchcraft.
It was gathered that Mrs Okechi was flogged and held hostage for several days after being accused of being a witch by her husband’s relations.
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The spokesman to the governor, Chika Ojiegbe, on Monday, said, “When the first lady heard about it on Sunday night, she swung into action and rescued the woman.
“Several stakeholders were involved in rescuing her alive, which was the first action that needed to be taken. The woman has been taken to a hospital.
“The next stage will be to address the issues surrounding the matter.
“The case will be closely monitored,” adding that Gov Ikpeazu would foot the bill for her treatment.
Ojiegbe said the rescue team included officials from the Gender-Based Violence Resource Centre.
He described the allegation of witchcraft as strange to the laws of the land, noting that, “In this case the law will take its course.
He said the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law had been domesticated and was being implemented in Abia.
Ojiegbe further said that effort was on for the House of Assembly to domesticate the Obnoxious Widowhood Practices Prohibition Bill, Equal Opportunities Bill, Child Rights Bill, Disability Bill and many other rights bills.
Meanwhile, the police spokesman in the state, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the command had commenced investigation into the matter but that no arrest had yet been made. (NAN)
