Culled from The Sun
A seven-month pregnant woman was recently burnt to death in
Umuekechi village, Umuekwunne community in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of
Imo State. It was learnt that she was doused with fuel and set ablaze by her
brother-in-law because she poured water on the man’s dog.
On Wednesday last week, Mrs. Uloma Njoku had served her
three children their lunch and continued with her laundry at the backyard. But
while the children were eating in the family’s compound, the dog of her
brother-in-law, Chibueze, allegedly strayed to where they were eating. The dog
was said to have dipped its mouth into their cup of water. One of the children
then reported the incident to her mother, Uloma.Uloma was said to have poured
the water on the dog before throwing the cup away. Trouble started when
Chibueze, who was inside his room at the time, saw what his brother’s wife had done
to his dog. According to eyewitnesses, he promptly came out to confront her,
demanding to know why she poured water on his dog just because the animal
wanted to drink water from a cup. That led to an exchange of abusive words
between Uloma and Chibueze.Chibueze had threatened to deal with Uloma
ruthlessly left the compound while Uloma went to the back of the compound to
spread the clothes she had washed. But unknown to her, Chibueze had gone into
his room. He came out with a plastic bowl filled with petrol and made straight
for Uloma, who was hanging her washed clothes at the back of the compound. He
immediately splashed the fuel on her, set her ablaze and took to his heels. It
was the cry of anguish from Uloma that attracted their neighbours who tried to
put out the fire. They then rushed her to the community health centre.
Unfortunately, she died the following day as a result of the
severe burns she had suffered. One of the villagers told Daily Sun that ever
since the late Uloma was married into that family, she had never been in good
terms with Chibueze, adding that the death of Uloma should be blamed on her
husband, Emma Njoku. “This incident is nothing but the climax of accumulated
grievances by Chibueze. But he went too far this time and that is why the
youths had to hunt for him.And immediately he was caught, he was handed over to
the police.” The youths of the village who could no longer bear the atrocities
of Chibueze had to fish him out from hiding and hand him over to the police.
Many members of the community said Chibueze Njoku had, before the latest
atrocity of setting his elder brother’s wife on fire, been a terror in the
village. One of the community members, a man, said the people, including his
family members, were afraid of him, as he had once threatened to kill his elder
brother and his children.He said after the ugly incident, the youths in the
community decided to put an end to his nefarious activities. Meanwhile, it was
learnt that the relations of the deceased woman are already spoiling for war
with the Njoku family if they refuse to hand the culprit to them.
The Police Public
Relations Officer in Imo State, Vitalis Onugu, a deputy superintendent of
police (DSP) confirmed that Chibueze was nabbed and is currently being held at
the State Criminal Investigation Department. The police spokesman said the
police authorities are still investigating the matter.
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