Mr. Sunday Nwaka, a welder from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, has publicly apologized to his five sons after allegedly burning his wife, Mrs. Blessing Nwaka, to death. The tragic incident, which involved dousing the victim with petroleum motor spirit before setting her on fire, has drawn widespread condemnation.
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In a tearful statement to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the suspect claimed his actions were unintentional, explaining that he acted out of anger after being unaware of his wife’s whereabouts the previous day. Mr. Nwaka, currently in police custody, pleaded with his children to forgive him.
Despite his plea, conflicting accounts have emerged about the suspect’s history. While the victim’s family and church members insisted she never complained of domestic violence, a close friend, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that Mrs. Nwaka had confided in her about her husband’s history of extreme violence, including previous attempts on her life.
The Anambra State Government has assured the public that justice will be served. Speaking on the matter, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Obinabo, condemned the act and vowed that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo would ensure the suspect faces the full extent of the law.
Barr. Dominic Ononiba, the Mayor of Njikoka Local Government Area, praised the state government’s prompt intervention and promised full support for the welfare of the children left behind by the late Mrs. Nwaka, who was reportedly the family’s breadwinner.
The horrific incident gained widespread attention after a viral video surfaced on social media late Tuesday night. The footage showed Mrs. Nwaka, severely burned, scrambling for safety with third-degree burns across her torso and other parts of her body. Eyewitnesses recounted that her husband set her ablaze following a domestic dispute.
The Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice prevails in this heartbreaking case.
