Imo Government Rescues Widow Forced to Drink Water Used to Bathe Husband’s Corpse

The Imo State Government has rescued a widow, Mrs. Chika Ndubuisi, from her husband’s relatives who allegedly forced her to drink water used in bathing her late husband’s corpse as a test of innocence over his death.

The shocking incident occurred in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area, and was brought to the attention of the authorities after a women’s advocacy group raised an alarm to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, condemned the act, describing it as a barbaric and dehumanizing widowhood practice that has no place in modern society. She expressed disbelief that such cruel customs still exist, noting that a widow already grieving her husband’s death should not be subjected to further trauma.

Lady Ugwu explained that the ministry, in collaboration with the Oru East Council Chairman, security agencies, and several Non-Governmental Organisations, intervened swiftly to prevent the act. The rescue team arrived in time to free Mrs. Ndubuisi, who had been detained with her husband’s corpse by his kinsmen after being accused of causing his death.

The wife of the state governor, Chioma Uzodinma, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and directed that all those responsible face the full weight of the law.

Confirming the government’s intervention, Lady Ugwu said that arrests have already been made and that Mrs. Ndubuisi and her children are now under government protection. “Normalcy has been restored, and a detailed investigation is underway,” she stated.