A 90-year-old widow, Mrs Comfort Nwanchioma Okwuonu, is receiving treatment and protective care following an alleged machete attack and years of abuse reportedly linked to members of her younger brother’s family in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The nonagenarian, popularly known as Danchama, was said to have endured repeated intimidation, physical assaults and neglect in Umuhie Village, Ike Ahaba, where she returned after the death of her husband.
According to relatives and community sources, the childless widow had allegedly been subjected to years of maltreatment by her younger brother’s wife and some of her children.
Family members claimed that the elderly woman was on several occasions forced out of the family house and left to fend for herself despite her age and fragile health condition.
The situation reportedly became so severe that she sought refuge in an abandoned church building, relying on the support of sympathisers for survival.
A community philanthropist, Chief Ahamdi Nweke, was said to have later built a two-bedroom bungalow for her within the family compound to improve her living conditions.
However, relatives alleged that the attacks continued despite the intervention, with several complaints reportedly lodged before community leaders and elders.
Speaking on the matter, a nephew of the victim, Prince Osuagwu, said the family had exhausted peaceful means of resolving the dispute before seeking police intervention.
He alleged that the widow sustained injuries in a previous attack about two weeks earlier, while another incident on May 10, 2026, left her with severe injuries, including machete wounds.
According to him, neighbours who responded to her cries for help prevented the assault from resulting in her death.
The victim was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment before officials of the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs intervened.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Command, ACP Maureen Chinaka, said one of two suspects linked to the case had been arrested.
She added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the second suspect, while investigations continued.
Chinaka said the police commenced investigation immediately after receiving a petition from the victim’s family and assured that justice would be served.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs said it had relocated the widow to a safe facility to protect her from further harm.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Ogechi Becky Oguama, said the victim had allegedly suffered years of abuse before the latest attack.
She disclosed that the elderly woman was currently receiving medical attention for injuries, anaemia, high blood pressure and blood clots allegedly resulting from the assault.
Oguama said reports from medical personnel indicated that the victim’s condition was improving.
She added that the ministry was working closely with the police to ensure those responsible for the alleged attack were brought to justice.
0 Comments