OUR SOCIETY IS BECOMING HELPLESS WITH UNCONTROLLABLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
3 min read
By
Vincent Odoh
Recently, Ibagwa-Ani Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State was thrown into confusion when Sunday Echegi from Okpuje but resident in Ibagwa Ani-Agu came home to meet her wife around. Later in their discussion a heated argument ensued which led to his allegedly going inside his house, brought out a machete and cut off her wife’s left hand under the guise that his wife was involved in extra-marital affair.
The report further said that the wife was taken to Kaetochukwu Clinic around Nsukka town where she received emergency treatment before she was transferred to Parklane Hospital in Enugu for further treatment.
Unarguably, cases of domestic violence like the one in question abounds in Nigeria and even in our neighbouring countries of Africa. Regrettably enough, government of this countries seem not to be paying serious attention to eliminate the scourge.
In Ghana, for instance, it was reported that two women chopped off the genital of their husband, an incident said to have caused a stire in that country. Also, in Nairobi Kenya in East Africa, Men have embraced latest protection device because their women are easily provoked to cut off their penis for not putting it in one check.
In July 2021, a 22 year old man was sentenced to death for killing Asisat Akande 18, year old sex worker in Abiokuta, Ogun State, by an Abiokuta High Court, for refusing to pay the agreed amount at the end of business. It was said the suspect agreed to pay to Asisat the sum of #10,000 but latter he could only pay #8000. This was said to have irritated Asisat to the extent that it led to a heated argument resulting in a fight.
Following, the male counter part decided to bring out a knife from his pocket and used it to stab her on the neck after which She collapsed and died before she could be assisted to a hospital.
The Assistant Director of Public
Prosecution, who prosecuted the duo was reportedly said to have proved his case beyond reasonable doubt before the court that sentenced him.
This writer is inclined, among other things, to say no to domestic violence, and to proffer solutions to the problems, especially in an era where our society is inundated with endless reports of crimes.
In some African countries like Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya, the issue of domestic violence has severally been reported with public condemnation. Obviously, women in this country seem to be more provoked and suspicious of their men than here in Nigeria.
Recently, a Kenyan business man initiated a protective clothing to be won by men when going to bed and when checking out. According to the reports, the initiator of the safe-key, was said to have noted that the key was to save husbands from loosing their penis whenever they are attacked by their women.
Recently also in Nigeria, there was a heartbreaking video that went viral showcasing evil men slaughtering a helpless young woman suspected to be someone’s wife in an undisclosed fallow land in Delta State. Is this not heartbreaking enough?
However, It is worrisome to know that most married women that fall victim of domestic violence are close associate of criminals that take joy in extra marital affairs. One can vividly recall the murder of a young graduate who was murdered by his fiancé in a hotel room in Imo State. This story was published in the Saturday Sun of February, 2016. The least is becoming rather endless.
It is my opinion that the government and the church leaders have a role to play. In this regard, through training and retraining of couples, domestic violence can be curtailed. Couples should learn to embrace one another in love for greater family heights by embracing the principle of being one another’s keeper.
The government may also promulgate a law that would checkmate the activities of couples in the society so that erring couples can face stringent legal action, especially in a case involving loss of a partner or amputation of hand.
It is pertinent to know therefore, that the Intrigues of claims like, “it is Satan” are more felt in this era of end-times is now filled with endless atrocities in-stock.
