The Punch Newspaper has taken to its official X handle to report a horrifying case of domestic violence in Anambra State, where a man followed through on his long-standing threat and set his wife ablaze.
In an exclusive interview, the victim’s younger brother, a printer from Umuneochi in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, painfully narrated the devastating ordeal that led to the untimely death of his sister, Chioma Nwana.
A Family Torn Apart
Chioma was the third child in a family of seven—six girls and one boy. She was the first daughter of her mother but the third child overall. Her life was cut short in the most gruesome manner by the very man who vowed to protect her.
Recalling the tragic day, her brother revealed that it was Chioma’s 17-year-old son who first broke the horrifying news to him. The teenager had received a call while at school, informing him that his father had set his mother on fire. Rushing home in a frenzy, he learned that she had already been taken to the hospital. Desperate, he grabbed his mother’s phone and immediately called his uncle.
Accounts of the incident vary, but what remains undisputed is that Chioma’s husband, a welder, doused her in fuel and ignited his lighter, setting her ablaze in their home. Despite her body being engulfed in flames, she fought to survive, screaming for help as neighbors and passersby rushed her to a nearby hospital.
Her eldest son later revealed a chilling detail—on the morning of the attack, his father had deliberately sent all the children to school early, ensuring they would not witness his monstrous act.
Upon receiving the call, Chioma’s brother immediately embarked on a desperate journey to Abagana, braving the distance on a motorcycle. By the time he arrived at the hospital, it was late. What he saw shattered him—his beloved sister lying helplessly on a hospital bed, her entire body severely burned and peeling.
Through her tears, Chioma muttered words that would forever haunt him:
“Brother, look at where marriage has landed me. The journey of marriage is leading me to an untimely death. Can I survive this? Please, look after my children for me.”
Despite his attempts to reassure her, the pain was unbearable. She struggled to sit up, but every movement was agony. She never stopped crying.
Years of Silent Suffering
In her final moments, Chioma revealed that she had endured years of violence at the hands of her husband. He had attacked her with bottles, repeatedly threatened to set her on fire, and ultimately carried out his evil intent. When her brother questioned why she never spoke up or sought help, her response was heartbreaking:
“I accepted my suffering as a cross to bear. I didn’t want my children to suffer if I left.”
A Desperate Fight for Life
Despite their efforts to secure better treatment, Chioma’s condition worsened. The hospital demanded a deposit of N600,000 before administering intensive care. Her family scraped together the funds, hoping she would pull through.
But in the early hours of the following morning, her 17-year-old son called again—this time with the devastating news.
“Uncle, Mama is gone.”
The Man Behind the Horror
After committing the crime, Chioma’s husband reportedly walked into a police station and confessed, claiming it was “the devil’s work.” When confronted by Chioma’s family, he wept, insisting that he did not know what had come over him.
But his tears meant nothing. His jealousy, paranoia, and violence had robbed five innocent children of their mother.
Seeking Justice
While many have urged the family to take matters into their own hands, Chioma’s brother remains steadfast in his belief that vengeance belongs to God.
“If I were to decide, he should receive a life sentence—not just for my sister but for the children she left behind. If he is executed, what happens to them?”
Perhaps the most painful part of the tragedy was the cold indifference of Chioma’s in-laws. Despite knowing her condition, not a single relative from her husband’s family came to check on her at the hospital. Even in death, her maternal relatives had to struggle to ensure she received a proper resting place.
Her body now lies in the mortuary, awaiting burial.
Chioma’s brutal murder has left her family shattered. Her children—now orphaned—face an uncertain future. Her siblings are filled with regret, believing that had she confided in them earlier, her life could have been saved.
One thing remains clear: Chioma’s death must not be in vain. Her story is a tragic reminder of the silent battles many women fight behind closed doors. For those still enduring abuse, her family has one plea: Speak up before it’s too late.
PIONEER NEWS 