A woman has been bathed with a substance suspected to be acid by her husband, Mr. Onyeachonam Chinwuba, over alleged divorce threat in Awka, Anambra State.
The victim, Añurika Chinwuba, an Onitsha- based hairdresser, was splashed with the flesh-burning substance at the premises of the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Center at Agu-Awka in the state capital.
The Nation gathered that Anwulika, mother of two, had dragged her husband, a civil servant, to the Anambra state Children and Women Affairs, to seek divorce.
Commissioner for Children and Women Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, in a statement, explained the victim wanted dissolution of the marriage over her husband’s alleged questionable lifestyle.
The estranged couple from Mmiata-Anam, Anambra West local council area, was said to have reported at the ministry as part of the move to resolve the marital squabbles.
According to eyewitness, their differences, thought to have been resolved, however took a tragic twist shortly after the couple left the premises of the ministry.
“The man reached for a bottle containing the harmful substance, which he hid in his clothes and splashed it on the victim, causing serious burns on her face down to her body.
“Staff of the ministry and others around who were attracted by her screaming, rushed to the scene and drove her to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, where she was admitted,” the witness said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the doctor who was treating the victim, said the substance had caused severe damage to her skin.
He said the patient would be taken to the plastic surgery unit for further medical attention.
Public Relations Officer of COOUTH, Miss Henrietta Agbai, while confirming the victim’s admission in the hospital, said the state government was aware of the incident.
She advised spouses to always settle their family issues amicably rather than taking laws into their hands.
Police spokesperson, Haruna Muhammed, said the suspect had been arrested and would soon be charged to court.
