There was public outcry at the weekend following the viral video of a 71 year old widow, Madam Sudinah Andrew, chained to a pole at the Market Square in Korokorosei Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government area by members of the community vigilante group.
According to a non-governmental organisation, End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC), the incident occured on January 28, 2025 and the woman was rescued after a report was logged with the Nigerian Police and Women group organisations.
According to the team lead EVAWC, the 71 year old woman was accused of wielding a cutlass against her daughter during a family verbal squabble. But the allegations was later found to be false.
It was gathered that despite the charges of possession of dangerous weapons leveled against the woman. Some members of the community vigilante had held a grudge against her for instigating police arrest against them last year for alleged harassment.
It was gathered that the vigilante group, led by one Opukiri Ogbe and the CDC chairman Ayibaditon Fiokorighe and two others were arrested by the men of Bayelsa Police Command following a petition on alleged false accusations, inhuman treatment and harassment.
A brother to the widow, Mr. Thankgod Andrew, told newsmen that “the vigilante group on the 28th of January, 2025 dragged my sister through the community and chained her to a pole at the market square from the 28th to 29th of January,2025.”
According to the widow’s relatives, the vigilante group led by one, Opukiri Ogbe and the CDC chairman Ayibaditon Fiokorighe and two others, were alleged to have demanded for the sum of N50,000 fine or flogging of 55 strokes of cane before her release from chains.
It was gathered that she was however released after relatives petitioned the State Police Command and some non government organisations.
The rescued 71 year old widow was however taken to the emergency unit of the Government House clinic in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Madam Sudinah Andrew, from the hospital bed, told newsmen that she has been dehumanised and traumatised by the actions of the vigilante group, “I was holding a cutlass because I was preparing to go into the bush to cut down plantain. I was cautioning my disrespectful daughter whose mother reside in another village. I told them I meant no harm but they insisted I have committed an offence.”
The Team lead of the End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC) who is also a member of the Coalition of women led organizations in Bayelsa State, Comrade Tina Tari Youdubagha, condemned the vigilante personnel action, describing it as barbaric and a violation of the fundamental rights of the woman. “This case is inhumane and barbaric. I say no to it. We call on the Bayelsa State police command to investigate and give justice to the widow.”
Also speaking, the founder of the Do Foundation, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry who is also a member of the coalition of women led organisations, noted that “This is another case of man’s inhumanity to man. This incidence had touched on my gender and we will not keep quiet once again.
“We are saddened by the fact that some persons have taken the laws into their hands to their hands by being a complainant, a persecutor, a prosecutor and a judge. It is time for a thorough and proper investigation this case.
“We therefore call on the Bayelsa Police command to please thoroughly investigate this case and bring the culprits to book. We have officially written to the Bayelsa Non Governmental forum (BANGOF).
