ENUGU, Nigeria — The Women’s Aid Collective has called for the arrest of several people accused of sexually assaulting and torturing a 34-year-old mother of six in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The rights organisation also asked the police to locate a male trader whose whereabouts remain unknown after he was allegedly attacked while attempting to help the woman.
WACOL said some suspects had been taken into custody, but others connected to the reported violence were still at large.
The Enugu State Police Command had not released the number or identities of those arrested.
The survivor’s name has been withheld to protect her privacy.
Woman Had Reportedly Fled Her Marriage
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, WACOL said the woman had experienced repeated domestic violence from her husband, who was also accused of physically attacking her mother.
The organisation said the survivor eventually rented another apartment in an effort to live apart from him.
Her husband allegedly found the residence on the night of July 17, attacked her and forced her to leave.
According to WACOL’s account, the woman first sought safety at her mother’s home, but her husband followed her there and threatened to kill her if she remained.
With nowhere else to stay, she approached a male customer who traded in palm kernels. Because the trader was married, WACOL said, he arranged temporary accommodation for her at another man’s house.
The organisation alleged that the host and a second resident subsequently restrained the trader and sexually assaulted the woman.
“Following this heinous act, the rapist maliciously locked the kernel trader with the survivor inside the house and ran to inform the victim’s husband of her whereabouts. The husband arrived with a mob, broke down the door, and subjected the survivor to unimaginable horrors,” WACOL said.
The accusations have not been tested in court, and the material reviewed by The Trent did not contain responses from the husband or the other alleged perpetrators.
Mob Accused of Joining Attack
WACOL alleged that the husband sexually assaulted the woman after arriving with a group of residents.
The organisation said members of the crowd restrained the trader, who had attempted to provide shelter, while the violence continued.
It further accused the husband of taking money from the survivor and using it to buy drinks for residents, whom he allegedly encouraged to participate in the attack.
The woman was eventually rescued by people who intervened, according to WACOL. She was taken to a police medical facility, where she was receiving treatment.
WACOL described the allegations as involving domestic abuse, multiple sexual assaults, mob torture and attempted murder.
It said the reported conduct amounted to a serious violation of the survivor’s rights and the Enugu State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
Family Allegedly Punished for Reporting Case
The organisation said the survivor and members of her family were later banished from their community because the matter had been reported to the police.
WACOL accused the traditional ruler and president-general of the community of using their positions to obstruct the investigation and punish the complainants.
“This victim-blaming and unconstitutional banishment is a gross abuse of power,” the organisation said.
It asked the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to investigate the actions of the community leaders and prevent traditional institutions from interfering with the criminal process.
“They must be held accountable for obstructing justice, aiding and abetting criminals, and unconstitutionally banishing the survivor and the family members,” WACOL said.
The organisation did not disclose the precise terms of the reported banishment or identify the community officials responsible for issuing it.
Independent accounts also reported allegations that the woman and her family were excluded from the community after involving law-enforcement officials. No public response from the traditional ruler or town leadership was included in the reports.
Search Requested for Missing Trader
WACOL said it was particularly concerned that the palm kernel trader who assisted the woman had not been accounted for after the mob attack.
The organisation called on the police to begin an urgent search-and-rescue operation and establish whether he was still being held or had suffered further harm.
It also demanded the immediate arrest of every outstanding suspect and adequate protection for the survivor, her sister and other relatives.
“The police must provide adequate security for the survivor, her sister, and her family, who are currently living in fear for their lives,” WACOL said.
The organisation commended the Enugu State Police Command for intervening and making initial arrests, while insisting that the case should not end before everyone accused of participating was questioned and, where evidence supported prosecution, brought before a court.
Legal and Counselling Support Activated
WACOL said its lawyers and psychosocial-support personnel had begun working with the survivor.
The organisation said the assistance would include support during her medical recovery, engagement with investigators and legal representation as the case progresses.
It warned that domestic violence complaints can become more dangerous when survivors leave abusive homes or seek help, particularly when relatives, neighbours or community authorities side with the alleged abuser.
“No woman should ever be subjected to such level of barbarism and humiliation,” WACOL said.
The case now places pressure on the police to locate the missing trader, determine the roles played by members of the alleged mob and establish whether community leaders attempted to frustrate the investigation.
It also raises the question of whether the survivor and her children can safely return to their community while the accused persons remain at large.
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