A father of two identified as Ejike, poured hot water on his 31-year-old female neighbour, Blessing in Rivers State, leaving her in critical condition.
The incident happened in the Azikiwe Street, Mile 2 axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
It was gathered that the attack happened after an accident involving Blessing, a hairstylist, and Ejike’s young son.
According to reports, Blessing had gone to retrieve boiling water from an electric kettle in the compound to style a customer’s hair when Ejike’s son bumped into her, causing some of the hot water to spill onto the ground and slightly splash the boy’s leg.
Witnesses said while Blessing was still comforting the boy, Ejike emerged from his room to ask what had happened.
As neighbours were explaining what happened, Ejike allegedly grabbed the kettle from the ground and poured its contents on Blessing’s chest, with some of the hot water splashing onto her face.
“As other neighbours were narrating what happened to Ejike, Blessing was still sympathizing with the little boy, he (Ejike) reached for the hot water in the kettle which was on the ground behind Blessing, came in front of the young woman’s front and poured the hot water on her breast which also splashed her face,” the source narrated.
After the attack, Ejike reportedly fled, while Blessing was rushed to the Azikiwe Police Division, where she was issued a medical form and then taken to a hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family is demanding justice.
“We want the Police to get the young man arrested. Then if he is arrested he will see what he did to my sister,” the woman’s brother, Goodluck Nwankwo said while speaking to newsmen said,
“It is not right, I have to do the necessary thing so that the Government can take over the matter. I want justice to be done.”
“Due to the medical attention they gave her yesterday, she is getting better but the problem is the money they are asking is too much and I have spent much already.
“I am thinking if I have to go back to Anambra State and come back to be able to raise some money.”
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident said the suspect had been arrested.
“Yes I’m aware and the man has been arrested, The police have issued the woman a medical form and she is receiving treatment,” the PPRO added.
