Chinedum Treasure
A middle-aged man, Sunday Obiozor Nwaka who set his wife ablaze with fuel, resulting in her death in Anambra State has tendered unreserved apology to his six children for killing their mother.
Nwaka had claimed to have loved his late wife deeply, confessing he never intended for his wife to die.
Speaking during an interrogation by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, at her office, the suspect blamed his actions on anger.
He acknowledged that his wife was the breadwinner of the family, but accused her of infidelity.
“Actually, I didn’t know she will die when I set her on fire. I felt terribly bad and wished I had killed myself too,” he stated.
Responding, Commissioner Obinabo condemned the act, describing it as unlawful and unacceptable.
She recounted reports of the suspect’s history of violence against his wife, including beatings and threats with bottles and knives.
She also blamed the suspect for the choice to beat and molest the wife, which ultimately led to her death, instead of reporting his concerns to his wife’s family or seeking peaceful divorce.
While reiterating the need to control anger and violence against women, Obinabo advocated peaceful divorce or dissolution of marriage as an alternative.
She assured that the law would take its full course on the suspect, serving as a deterrent to others.
It would be recalled that the deceased, Mrs. Blessing Chioma Nwaka, a native of Oraifite, was burnt to death by her husband at Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, over allegations of infidelity.
According to sources, the couple, who had five children, including twins, had been experiencing marital problems and frequent quarrels.
The wife had allegedly suffered physical abuse, including bottle attacks, from her husband but had continued to endure the abuse to remain in the marriage.
On the day of the incident, the husband allegedly poured fuel on his wife and set her ablaze.
Videos circulating on social media show the victim running for safety while on fire, with neighbors and passersby attempting to rescue her.
The victim was rushed to a hospital in Enugwu-Ukwu, where she later died. The suspect, Mr. Sunday Nwaka, has been detained by the police for further investigation, as confirmed by the state’s Police Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga.
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