Nigeria: Widow set ablaze for shunning prostitution
Pandemonium broke out in Igueben Local Government Council of Edo State when a widow and mother of three, Patience Iyah was set ablaze by her uncle, Ahmed Okoro Evbohon over her refusal to take to prostitution abroad. The attack which took place when the widow arrived her village for the burial ceremony of a late relation created confusion in the community as the villagers wondered whether all was well with him.
Widow set ablaze by uncle for shunning prostitution
Written by Simon Ebegbulem
Sunday, 07 September 2008
Vanguard
Pandemonium broke out last week Monday, in Igueben Local Government Council of Edo State when a widow and mother of three, Patience Iyah was set ablaze by her uncle, Ahmed Okoro Evbohon over her refusal to take to prostitution abroad. The attack, which took place when the widow arrived her village for the burial ceremony of a late relation created confusion in the community as the villagers, wondered whether all was well with him. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the suspect who is now on the run, had been bothering the victim to travel abroad so that she could be making some money through prostitution and contribute to the family up keep. Having failed in all his moves, he poured fuel on the victim after he over powered her.
When Sunday Vanguard met the victim at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where she was being treated, she was in a state of shock. Patience who is a fashion designer, narrated that her uncle had always threatened to kill her if she refused to accept the advice to travel abroad. To make matters worst for Patience, her mother who backed Ahmed’s suggestion ensured that the matter was not reported to the police.
After the ugly incident, Ahmed took to his heels when the villagers confronted him. The victim was however rushed to the Otibvor Hospital before she was refereed to the UBTH.
As if Patience ordeal was not enough, the management of the UBTH ejected her from the hospital because of her inability to foot the hospital bill. When Sunday Vanguard met her at the gate of the UBTH after she was ejected, she looked hopeless, in company of her mother Madam Theresa. Patience lamented that, “ I became a widow over five years ago and I have no body now to help me.