A mother and her two children were taken into custody by security personnel in Anambra State for physically abusing their 75-year-old father, Romanus Obidigwe.
Findings indicated that the crime was committed in the Awba-Ofemmili community in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State by Esther Obidigwe, Ozioma Obidigwe, and Obuka Obidigwe.
Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media assistant to state commissioner for women’s affairs and social welfare, Ify Obinabo, revealed this in a press release on Wednesday.
Ikeanyionwu said that the victim had been beaten repeatedly by his family members and that they had been arrested after the victim had reported the incident to the ministry.
The statement read, “Anambra State government through the security operatives, has arrested one Esther Obidigwe, Ozioma Obidigwe, and Obuka Obidigwe for beating their 75-year-old father, Romanus Obidigwe.
“Sharing his experience with his family at the office of the commissioner, Obidigwe, a retired senior civil servant stated that his family has been in the habit of beating him constantly.
“But what caused that particular incident was that his daughter, Ozioma, sold his firewood without his consent and when he tried to know why she did so, they pounced on him, tied him up and used a rod in inflicting injuries on him.
“Obidigwe further revealed that the trio has since stopped feeding him of which he accepted as good fate and that they usually steal from him especially his first son, Obuka who had gone to local government where he retired from to claim his benefits.
She noted that the victim lamented that he had given in to his wife’s compulsory ‘no sexual relationship’ since the year 2000, and he did so for the sake of peace.
“He also noted that it took the intervention of a neighbour before they stopped, after which they locked him out of his compound.
“During questioning on why they inflicted injuries on their father, his son, Obuka, denied being present when the incident happened while his wife, Esther, confessed to the crime whereas the daughter, alleged that it was what the father wanted to do to her that turned against him,” she added.
The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare responded to the news by pledging to see to it that the victim received justice.
Therefore, Obinabo issued a warning to all members of society to abstain from crime because the current administration is working to ensure that the oppressed receive justice.
She emphasized that her ministry is established for everyone’s social welfare and is not just intended for women and children.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
