In a distressing incident that has sent shockwaves through the Nanka community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, a middle-aged man identified as Ifeanyi Ezenwankwo finds himself in police custody on allegations of causing severe bodily harm to his wife, Ekwutosi, and the horrifying act of burying a newborn infant in a shallow grave.

The harrowing revelation came to light when it was uncovered that Ezenwankwo had clandestinely fathered a child with a 16-year-old girl, subsequently attempting to conceal this grave misconduct by burying the newborn. Ekwutosi, a native of Agbiligba Nanka community, was thrust into this nightmarish situation after she returned home, only to stumble upon her husband in the grievous act of burying the infant.

This grim tale was disclosed in a press statement issued on Thursday by Chidinmma Ikeanyionwu, the Media Aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo. Ikeanyionwu asserted that swift action was taken by law enforcement agencies, leading to the immediate arrest of the perpetrator and the rescue of Ekwutosi, following the Ministry’s notification of the dire situation.

The statement elaborated, “One Ekwutosi Ezenwankwo, a woman from Agbiligba Nanka, has been rescued from her alleged ritualist husband, Ifeanyi Ezenwankwo, for refusing to facilitate his criminal activities. According to the woman, her husband, a fellow Nanka native, had been engaging in a disturbing pattern of impregnating a 16-year-old girl and subsequently terminating the pregnancies. However, his dark deeds were brought to an abrupt halt when the teenage girl became pregnant once more, and attempts at abortion failed.

“The wife of the accused recounted that the trouble began when she returned home and unexpectedly encountered her husband and the 16-year-old girl in the act of burying the newborn. She bravely raised an alarm, only to face a brutal assault from her husband, resulting in injuries not only to her but also her children.

“Ekwutosi further revealed that she had previously observed her husband’s illicit relationship with the young girl and had vehemently warned against any harm befalling the unborn child. This led to the husband hiding the girl within his chambers. She also disclosed that her husband had threatened her life, a recurring theme in their tumultuous relationship, citing instances where community members had come to her rescue during his attempts to silence her.

“When questioned about the root cause of the dispute, Ekwutosi explained that their marital strife commenced when her husband took another wife and subsequently neglected his responsibilities towards their children.”

The statement concluded by confirming that the alleged perpetrator is currently in police custody, while investigations into this disturbing incident remain ongoing.