Fidelis David in Akure
A man identified as Odechukwu Sunday has allegedly attacked his wife with machete in Akure, Ondo State capital, leaving her with deep cuts on her arms and body.
Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Augustina Odechukwu, 40 years old from Ebonyi State, disclosed that her husband, from Anambra State allegedly attacked her last Sunday with a machete in their residence along Oda Road, in Akure the state capital.
Mrs. Odechukwu who revealed that she’s legally married to her husband for over 14 years, stressed that both of them had not been in good terms for over a year, because her husband was no long taking care of her and their four children
According to the mother of five boys, her husband had given her and the children quit notice, but couldn’t leave because she could not afford to rent a room apartment.
Her words: “It’s over a year now, my husband and I have not been living as husband and wife. We are just staying in the same room and nothing more. On the fateful day, we were at home, suddenly my husband started beating me and he took cutlass to kill me. I protected myself with my left hand that’s why I sustained serious injuries on my right and left arms
“I ran out of the house naked and he chased me with the cutlass in his hand, but I was saved by a man, who is a commissioner in the state, who ran towards my husband and collected the cutlass from him when he was about hacking me on my side.
“The police later came and rushed me to the hospital while he was arrested and taken away. He said my children and I should leave the house for him. I have five boys for him. One of 14 years, the other is 13. The third born in 11 years old, the other is 8 years old, while the last born is going to three years.
“He once beat my second born to a point that he was covered with blood. He threatened to kill me and my children. I want government to fight for me because I don’t have anybody. I want justice,” Mrs. Odechukwu explained.
When a team of Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence(OSAA-GBV), lead by Mrs. Olamide Falana, Special Adviser(Gender Matters) to the state Governor visited the victim who is on admission at Police Hospital, Akure on Monday, she disclosed that the commissioner gave a call on Sunday when the incident happened.
Mrs. Falana disclosed that she had to call a team of Policemen in Government House to rush to the scene of the incident to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrator, noting that the state government has zero tolerance to any form of gender violence.
“What we have here is an unfortunate case of gender violence, domestic abuse by the husband of the victim. He took law into his hands using machete on his wife. This is unacceptable.
“Ondo State is known as a decent urban center and we will not accept issues like this happening in our shores. Ondo State has zero tolerance for gender-based violence. That’s why this case will not be to slip. The man is going to be prosecuted. The woman is assured of protection by the state government.
“This is a call out to men and women in Ondo State that resort to violence is not an excuse. There’s no reason anyone should use brute force on another. Ondo State government would not tolerate that.
“We already have laws in place that protects individuals against gender-based violence. We have the VAPP Law and the Agency Against Gender-Based Violence OSAA-GBV to ensure protection of individuals and prosecution of violators.
“For anyone who is a victim, please speak out whether male or female. When you speak out, you also empower the law to protect you and make our society a sane one for everyone to live in. So, when you see something, say something.”
The Executive Secretary of OSAA-GBV, Barrister Bolanle Afolabi, who was represented by the attorney to the agency, Barrister John Dada, said the agency would pursue the case to conclusion
Reacting to the incident, the state Police Commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo ordered that the case should be transferred to the command headquarters without delay.
He assured that cases of gender-based violence would be given speedy attention, assuring of unflinching synergy with OSAA-GBV in the fight against gender-based violence in the state.
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