The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has condemned the alleged domestic violence, sexual assaults, mob torture, attempted murder and banishment of a 34-year-old mother of six in Aninri Local Council of Enugu State, describing the incident as a gross violation of human dignity, fundamental human rights and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019 of Enugu State.

In a statement yesterday by its Senior Communication Officer, Ezugwu Bethel, the organisation said evidence presented by the survivor and the police indicated that the woman had endured prolonged domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who allegedly assaulted both her and her mother.

According to WACOL, the woman rented a separate apartment after fleeing the abuse, but her husband tracked her down and, on July 17, allegedly attacked her and forced her out of the residence. It said she later fled to her mother’s home, where the husband allegedly threatened to kill her if she remained there.

The organisation stated that the woman subsequently sought refuge with a palm kernel trader, who, because he was married, took her to a friend’s house for temporary shelter.

WACOL alleged that the friend conspired with another resident to restrain the trader before raping the woman.

It further alleged that the suspect locked the trader and the survivor inside the house before informing the woman’s husband of her whereabouts.

According to the organisation, the husband arrived with a mob, forced his way into the house and publicly raped the survivor while members of the mob restrained the trader, who had attempted to help her.

WACOL also alleged that the husband took the survivor’s money, used it to buy drinks for members of the community and incited them to torture both the woman and the trader.

The organisation said the survivor was eventually rescued by good Samaritans and is receiving treatment at the police clinic.

It further alleged that the community subsequently banished the survivor and her family for reporting the incident to the police, describing the action as unconstitutional and an abuse of power.

WACOL expressed concern that the whereabouts of the palm kernel trader remain unknown.

The organisation disclosed that the police had arrested some suspects, while others were still at large.

It commended the Enugu State Police Command for its prompt intervention and called for the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

WACOL also urged the police to launch an immediate search-and-rescue operation for the missing trader and appealed to the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to hold the community’s traditional ruler and President General accountable over the alleged obstruction of justice and banishment of the survivor and her family.

The organisation further called on the police to provide adequate security for the survivor, her sister and other family members, saying they were living in fear.

Maintaining that no woman should be subjected to such treatment, WACOL said it had activated its legal and psychosocial teams to support the survivor in her recovery and pursuit of justice.