In a shocking incident that has left the community of Umuahia in Abia State reeling, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the First Lady of Abia State, expressed her profound sorrow over the brutal attack on a woman by her husband, which allegedly stemmed from ritualistic motives. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, as Lawrence Uzor, an aluminium worker residing in Adiele Estate, Umueze Ibeku, attacked his wife, Amarachi Lawrence, while she was asleep.
According to reports from residents, the violent act took place around 1 AM when Uzor used a knife to gouge out his wife’s eyes. The couple’s landlady, Madam Lovejane Nwaiwu, who herself sustained injuries during the chaos, recounted the harrowing events leading up to the attack. She recalled hearing Uzor shouting “Odogwu, Odogwu” (meaning “mighty, mighty”) the night before, which prompted her to pray for the couple, as it was unusual for them to be so vocal at that hour.
Nwaiwu stated that her concern grew throughout the night, and around midnight, she was unable to sleep. The situation escalated when she heard Amarachi’s desperate cries for help, exclaiming, “Mummy, I have been killed.” Alarmed, Nwaiwu looked through the couple’s bedroom window and witnessed Uzor holding a knife against his wife.
In a frantic attempt to assist, Nwaiwu called for neighbors, but her pleas went unanswered. She then knocked on the couple’s door, only for Uzor to emerge wielding the knife and attacking her as well, resulting in cuts to her hand and face. After fleeing to her own home, she managed to contact her family, who alerted the community vigilance team, leading to Uzor’s eventual apprehension.
At the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, where both victims are currently receiving treatment, Mrs. Otti expressed her dismay over the incident, particularly in light of her recent commitment to addressing gender-based violence in the state. She described the attack as “a terrible case of violence, attempted murder,” and vowed to take immediate action to ensure Amarachi’s recovery and protection.
The Medical Director at the Federal Medical Centre, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, reported that Mrs. Lawrence was deeply asleep when the attack occurred, highlighting the severity of her injuries, which included attempted gouging of her eyes and indications of genital mutilation. He provided hope for her recovery, stating that she is making good progress.
Family members of the victim have urged authorities, including the Inspector General of Police and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, to take decisive action in this case and assist Amarachi in her recovery journey.
This tragic event has sparked outrage and concern within the community, underscoring the urgent need for measures to combat domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts. Mrs. Otti’s commitment to supporting the victims and addressing gender-based violence reflects a growing recognition of the need for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.
