The Enugu State government has detained one Sunday Echegi for allegedly chopping off his wife’s left hand in the Nsukka area of the state.
The arrest of the man followed reports of the incident on social media.
The State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.
She said the man’s arrest underscores Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s commitment to combating domestic and gender-based violence in the state.
Enih said: “This zero-tolerance stance is part of the administration’s broader efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly vulnerable populations.
“This move not only provides support to the victim but also sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
“This is yet another sad development, which we are following up to ensure that justice is done.
“The information we have is that the man in question aimed for the wife’s head during a disagreement, but ended up chopping off the left hand with which she tried to fend off the machete.
“She also sustained an injury on the right hand. So, we swung into action immediately we got the information and had him arrested immediately and he is now in police custody.”
The commissioner stressed that the government’s priority at the moment was to save the victim’s life and ensure she received the necessary medical attention.
“So, we have moved her to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, where she is currently receiving full medical attention.
“Meanwhile, this is a case the government is taking very seriously.
“The wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, is personally on this matter and has vowed that justice must be served.
“The suspect will be moved to the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu, today for a thorough investigation.
“From there, the law will take its full course,” Enih added.
