Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma Reacts After Widow Was Locked in Ambulance With Husband’s Corpse, Ordered to Drink Water Used to Wash His Body

In a heartbreaking incident that has sparked outrage across Nigeria, a widow from Imo State was seen in a viral video being slapped, locked inside an ambulance with her late husband’s body, and reportedly forced to drink the water used to bathe the corpse. The disturbing footage, which spread quickly on social media, captured the woman crying and pleading for her life as community members and some of her in-laws allegedly accused her of being responsible for her husband’s death.

According to eyewitnesses, the widow was on her way to the mortuary with the body of her husband when some relatives intervened and subjected her to the cruel act — a shocking reflection of how deeply superstition and ignorance still affect parts of our society. 

Reacting to the incident, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State condemned the inhumane treatment, describing it as barbaric and totally unacceptable. He expressed deep sympathy for the widow and assured that those behind the act would face the full weight of the law.

In his words, “No woman should ever go through such humiliation, especially while mourning her husband. We will ensure that justice is done, and the culprits will be made to answer for their actions.”

Many Nigerians have joined their voices online, calling for justice and for better protection of widows who are often victims of cruel traditional practices.

This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for more awareness, compassion, and humanity in how society treats the vulnerable — especially women who lose their spouses.

No one deserves to be dehumanized in the name of tradition. What the widow needs now is not punishment or blame, but love, support, and justice.