Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has condemned the attempted reintroduction of a barbaric widowhood practice in the state, describing it as “inhuman and unacceptable.” The governor has ordered a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The incident occurred in Isieke, Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area, where the female siblings of a deceased man, Odinakachi Ndubuisi, allegedly tried to force his widow, Chika Ndubuisi, to drink the water used to wash his corpse as a test of innocence over his death.
Governor Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Nkechi Ugwu, condemned the act and warned that such harmful traditional practices would never be tolerated in Imo State.
According to reports, the widow was rescued on Friday when Ugwu, alongside the Oru East Local Government Chairman and security operatives, stormed the burial venue after receiving an alert from rights groups and community leaders.
Ugwu disclosed that several organisations—including the Onurube Coalition Group, Virgin Heart Foundation, Harsco Global Media, Odumodu TV, and Sisters With a Goal—collaborated with the ministry to intervene and protect the widow and her children.
Witnesses said Chika was locked inside the ambulance carrying her husband’s body and was being forced to drink the corpse water when government officials arrived. The presence of security personnel reportedly stopped the in-laws from carrying out the act. The burial was eventually conducted peacefully under official supervision.
Late Odinakachi Ndubuisi reportedly died from complications related to hepatitis. Sources allege that one of his sisters had removed him from the hospital against medical advice and taken him to a native doctor, where he later passed away.
Commissioner Ugwu said those involved in the attempted ritual have been handed over to security authorities for prosecution.
“We ensured that the widow and her children were safe and that the deceased was buried without incident. Those caught in the act will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She further confirmed that calm has been restored to the community and that the government has launched a formal investigation to eliminate the remnants of such harmful cultural practices.
“We have made it clear that Imo State will not tolerate any act of dehumanisation or gender-based violence disguised as tradition,” Ugwu added.
The rescued widow and her children are now under protective custody to prevent further harassment from her in-laws.
Earlier in May, a non-governmental organisation, Community Life Project, had called for the total eradication of discriminatory widowhood practices and the denial of women’s inheritance rights in parts of Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and enforcing laws against all harmful traditional practices.
