The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has expressed deep concern over the widespread ill-treatment of widows by their late husbands' families. He made this statement on Sunday in Amawbia, Awka, during a Human Rights Accountability Meeting organized by the Humanitarian Cares Initiative in collaboration with the Anambra police command. The event aimed to educate residents about their rights, particularly widows.
Orutugu noted that the abuse of widows' rights often stems from cultural practices, traditions, and family values. He emphasized that under Nigerian law, such treatment is unacceptable. "In some families in Anambra, when a woman loses her husband, she becomes a subject of ridicule. This is bad under the Nigeria law," he said. "The way women suffer in Anambra when they lose their husbands is terrible. Some brothers and sisters-in-law only aim at inheriting their late brothers' wives and property but do not talk about how to maintain the children of the deceased."
He clarified that a legally married woman has the right to her children and her husband's property. "As a widow, you have the right to your husband's property, as long as you were legally married before his demise," Orutugu stated. He added that since assuming duty as commissioner over a year ago, he has secured justice for many widows whose rights were violated.
The commissioner urged husbands in the state to write wills to protect their wives and children in case of death. He also advised communities and families to amend certain cultures, traditions, and family values to align with the country's constitution, which protects everyone's rights, including widows. He encouraged residents to report human rights violations to the police to prevent and tackle crime. Orutugu also noted that bail is free and urged people to report officers who demand money for bail.
Chief Superintendent of Police Essien Edet, head of the command's legal department, also spoke, urging both widows and widowers to report rights violations. He said everyone is protected under the law and that reporting helps prevent and tackle crime. Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Onyinye Udenze advised residents to report suspicious foreign nationals, especially those without valid permits, who may be involved in serious crimes.
During the summit, residents asked about handling human rights abuses in their communities and whether bail is free. Some alleged that many foreign nationals are involved in serious crimes across the country. Earlier, Augustine Ejiofor, national coordinator of Humanitarian Cares Initiative, said the organization provides legal services and support to victims of human rights abuses in Nigeria.
