Outrage In Bayelsa As Vigilantes Drag 71-Year-Old Widow Through Community, Chain Her To Market Square Pole
EVAWC’s team lead stated that the elderly woman had been accused of wielding a cutlass against her daughter during a family dispute.
Public outrage erupted over the weekend after a viral video showed 71-year-old widow, Madam Sudinah Andrew, chained to a pole at the Market Square in Korokorosei Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, by members of the local vigilante group.
According to the End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC), a non-governmental organisation, the incident occurred on January 28, 2025.
The woman was later rescued after reports were filed with the Nigerian police and women’s rights organisations.
EVAWC’s team lead stated that the elderly woman had been accused of wielding a cutlass against her daughter during a family dispute. However, investigations later proved the allegations to be false.
Reports indicate that despite the allegations of possessing dangerous weapons, some members of the community vigilante group had a longstanding grudge against the widow for instigating their arrest last year over alleged harassment.
It was learned that the vigilante group, led by one Opukiri Ogbe, CDC Chairman Ayibaditon Fiokorighe, and two others, were arrested by the Bayelsa Police Command following a petition accusing them of false allegations, inhumane treatment, and harassment.
The widow’s brother, Mr. Thankgod Andrew, told reporters that on January 28, 2025, the vigilante group dragged his sister through the community and chained her to a pole at the Market Square, where she remained until January 29, 2025.
According to the widow’s relatives, the vigilante group, led by Opukiri Ogbe, CDC Chairman Ayibaditon Fiokorighe, and two others, allegedly demanded N50,000 or a fine of 55 strokes of the cane before agreeing to release her.
It was gathered that she was however released after her relations petitioned the state police command and some non-governmental organisations.
The 71-year-old widow was rescued and taken to the emergency unit of the Government House clinic in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, for medical care.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Madam Andrew told reporters that she had been dehumanised and traumatised by the actions of the vigilante group.
She said, “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 resides in another village. I told them I meant no harm but they insisted I have committed an offence.”
EVAWC team lead, who is also a member of the coalition of women-led organisations in Bayelsa State, Comrade Tina Tari Youdubagha, condemned the actions of the vigilantes, describing them as barbaric and a violation of the fundamental rights of the elderly 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,” she said.
Also speaking, the founder of the Do Foundation, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, said, “This is another case of man’s inhumanity to man. This incidence has 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 justice. We have officially written to the Bayelsa Non-Governmental Forum (BANGOF).”
