Right To Life – What You Need to Know
The brutal beating death of 29-year-old Olumma Chizoba Lucy Akataobi at the hands of her partner, the father of her children, has sent shockwaves through Owerri.
The incident occurred on the night of February 2, 2026, marking yet another heartbreaking loss to domestic violence in Nigeria’s southeastern hub.
Local authorities confirmed the tragedy, with eyewitnesses reporting that Akataobi succumbed to severe injuries inflicted during a domestic altercation.
This case underscores the pervasive danger women face in abusive relationships, as Akataobi leaves behind young children who now grapple with unimaginable trauma.
The loss of Akataobi brings the grim tally of women killed in domestic violence incidents in Nigeria to over 40 in 2026 alone, just two months into the year.
Advocacy groups tracking gender-based violence, such as the Nigerian Feminist Forum and local Imo State women’s rights networks, have documented a surge in such fatalities, attributing it to cultural stigma and lax enforcement of protective laws.
In Owerri, a city already strained by economic pressures and rising insecurity, this incident has ignited public outrage, with residents taking to social media under hashtags such as : #LeaveAbusiveRelationships and #JusticeForOlumma , to demand immediate action from authorities.
Under Nigerian law, domestic violence constitutes a grave criminal offense, primarily governed by the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) of 2015, which criminalizes acts including physical assault, emotional abuse, and spousal battery.
Section 19 of the VAPP Act explicitly prohibits violence in private or public settings, imposing penalties of up to five years imprisonment for grievous harm and life imprisonment in cases resulting in death.
In Imo State, where the VAPP law has been domesticated since 2018, perpetrators face prosecution under state-specific provisions, yet conviction rates remain dismally low at under 20%, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Akataobi’s killer, if apprehended, could face murder charges under the Criminal Code Act, potentially leading to the death penalty, highlighting the legal pathways available but rarely fully utilized.
Legal experts warn that failures in enforcement exacerbate the crisis. The absence of swift arrests, inadequate shelters for survivors, and overburdened police units often deter victims from seeking help.
“The VAPP Act provides robust protections, including restraining orders and compensation for victims, but implementation hinges on proactive policing and judicial efficiency,” noted Barrister Ifeoma Eze, a human rights lawyer based in Owerri.
In Akataobi’s case, preliminary investigations reveal prior complaints of abuse ignored by neighbors and possibly authorities, raising questions about negligence that could trigger civil suits for wrongful death or failure to protect under the Child Rights Act, which safeguards children exposed to violence.
This tragedy serves as a clarion call for systemic reform. Community leaders in Owerri are organizing vigils and pushing for mandatory domestic violence training in police recruit programs, while national lawmakers debate amendments to the VAPP Act to include harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
Survivors and advocates urge women trapped in cycles of abuse to utilize hotlines like the National Gender Violence Helpline (0800-800-0800) or local Imo State shelters.
Also available in Owerri is the helpline from a frontline Civil Society Organization, the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) (0800-900-1000)
As Nigeria confronts this epidemic—with over 40 lives lost this year alone—Olumma Chizoba Lucy Akataobi’s story demands not just mourning, but urgent legal and societal action to prevent the next victim.