The Enugu State Police Command have in their custody a Ghanaian man who allegedly bath his wife, a nursing mother, with hot water.

Opoku battered the breasts of his nursing wife at the weekend after pouring hot water repeatedly on them, while his wife was feeding their three-month-old baby at their residence in Akwuke, Enugu South Local Government area, following a misunderstanding that had arisen when the wife, Grace, demanded money to prepare food for the family.

The hot water caused serious burns on the breasts and left her with some injuries.

The Communications Officer of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Mrs Egodi Igwe, who narrated the story to newsmen yesterday, said Mrs Opoku reported the incident in their office amid pains inflicted on her breasts.

She said:

“The victim narrated to WACOL that her husband was in the habit of physically and verbally abusing her, denying her and the children necessities and always torturing her unprovoked. This latest incident happened when she asked him for money to prepare food for the family.

“He blatantly refused and while she was making pap for the three-month-old baby, he proceeded to pour the hot water on her breasts. Mrs Opoku has been in excruciating pain that whenever she tries to breastfeed the baby, her breast will start bleeding profusely.”

Efforts to get a reaction from the police on the development yesterday proved abortive, but Igwe said:

“WACOL has reported and referred the matter to the police, and provided medical and other assistance to the victim.

“The husband of the victim has been arrested and we appreciate the swiftness with which the Enugu Police Area Commander handled the matter. We are keenly following up on her treatment and prosecution of the perpetrator.”

In a statement on Sunday, WACOL said

On the 9th day of July 2020, a good Samaritan reported to WACOL that one Mr. Emmanuel Opoku, a Ghanaian who lives in Nigeria has been torturing and abusing his wife Mrs K.

WACOL quickly reached out to the victim who is a mother of two boys.

The victim narrated to WACOL that Mr. Emmanuel Opoku was in the habit of physically and verbally abusing her, denying her and the children necessities and always torturing her unprovoked.

The recent incident happened when she asked him for money to prepare food for the family, he blatantly refused and while she was making pap for the 3 months old baby, he proceeded to pour the hot water on her breast.

Mrs K has been in excruciating pain, she stated that whenever she tries to breastfeed the baby her breast will start bleeding profusely.

After her counselling session with the WACOL legal team, a complaint was filed and the team forwarded a petition to the Police Area Commander to investigate the matter and ensure the arrest of Mr Emmanuel Opoku.

On receipt of the petition, the Area Commander promptly issued a warrant of arrest against the perpetrator.

The arrest has been effected and Mr Emmanuel Opoku is now in police custody and will be charged to court on Monday. WACOL also took Mrs K.to the hospital where she is currently receiving medical treatment.

Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo expressed her gratitude to the police for their prompt response in the case and stated that WACOL will follow through, as usual, to ensure that justice is manifestly seen to be done.

WACOL hereby pleads with Nigerians to report any suspected case of violence against women and children.

Together we will end the impunity of violence against women and girls that is raging our society today.