The Anambra State Government, through its Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, has stepped into the shocking case of a 74-year-old woman who was allegedly burnt to death in her wheelchair in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area.
Four suspects connected to the crime have been identified as 21-year-old Chinenye Ekwenugo, 47-year-old Uzochukwu Okeke, 60-year-old Fidel Anayo, and 54-year-old Ikenna Anene. Items recovered from the scene included the charred remains of the victim, her wheelchair, and a casket.
During a visit to the crime scene, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, condemned the rising cases of homicide in the state. She vowed that the matter would be pursued in court to ensure justice for the deceased. Mrs. Obinabo assured that the state government remains committed to seeing justice served in this case.
Initially, the suspects denied involvement in the incident but later admitted to being present after the fire. Chinenye Ekwenugo, however, confessed that her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Igwe—currently at large—and three others were responsible for setting the woman ablaze. She revealed that they had even procured a casket to bury the victim before security operatives intervened.
Journalists on the scene reported that the area had been hastily cleaned, with walls scrubbed and preparations for burial underway before police halted the proceedings.
Further investigations suggest that the children of the deceased failed to act when informed of their mother’s tragic death. Speculations surrounding the motive include disputes over the late husband’s property and attempts to avoid the perceived burden of caring for their aging mother, who had eight daughters.
The case has sparked outrage, with calls for swift justice to prevent such heinous acts in the future.