A man identified as Lawrence Uzor, an aluminium worker, allegedly attacked his wife and plucked out her eyes, reportedly for ritual purposes, in Abia State.
The incident occurred on the night of August 24, 2024, at Adiele Estate in Umueze Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Lawrence, who hails from Umuchieze in Bende LGA, used a knife to remove his wife’s eyes while she was asleep. He also assaulted his landlady, Madam Lovejane Nwaiwu, knocking out several of her teeth and cutting off her upper lip.
Madam Nwaiwu, who is also receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, recounted how she heard unusual noises from the couple’s apartment around 10 p.m. Concerned, she began praying for them. Later, around 1 a.m., she heard the wife, 38-year-old Amarachi Lawrence, a teacher at a private school, crying out for help. When Nwaiwu investigated, she saw Lawrence attacking his wife with a knife.
Despite her efforts to alert neighbors, no one responded. When she confronted Lawrence, he attacked her as well, injuring her hand and face before running outside to inform others that he had killed his wife and injured his landlady.
Lawrence was apprehended by the community vigilance team after the incident.
Abia State First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, expressed deep concern over the case, which came just days after signing an agreement with the UNFPA on gender-based violence (GBV). Visiting the victims at the Federal Medical Centre, she promised to ensure their well-being and protection, emphasizing that the state government would take decisive action against such violence. Mrs. Otti also provided financial support for the victims’ treatment.
The Medical Director of FMC Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, represented by Mrs. Aisha Onyemaobi, noted that Amarachi was asleep when her husband attacked her but expressed hope for her recovery. The suspect, Lawrence, is currently in custody.
The Umueze Ibeku community chairman, Tutus Jonah, confirmed the incident, describing it as shocking, given that the couple had previously lived peacefully. He mentioned that Lawrence had recently visited a prayer house and a local stream, after which his behavior changed. The prayer house leader was briefly detained but later released.
The victim’s relatives, Ijeoma and Chioma Okpokiri, have pleaded with the Inspector General of Police and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to ensure justice is served and to support their sister’s recovery.
