Mixed reactions have trailed the residents of Ugbema community in Buruku local government area of Benue State expulsion of a pregnant widow and her child for shoplifting.
A member of the community told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that the widow, who recently lost her husband, had allegedly been stealing items from local shops in an attempt to feed her son and herself.
He said, “Instead of the community looking for ways to empower her, because from the look of things she is traumatised and lost hope following the death of her husband who was probably her bread winner and as a young pregnant woman who must eat and feed her son, she decided to go the other way, but calling her to order by empowering her would have been a more appropriate way to go.”
He explained that her ordeal reportedly began early morning of Saturday when some youths apprehended her and subjected her to public humiliation under the scorching sun.
“After the humiliation incident, the elders instructed the youths to escort the woman out of Ugbema as punishment for her alleged theft.”
The situation sparked outrage among some residents and human rights advocates, many of whom described the treatment as inhumane and unjust.
The country lead, Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Helen Teghtegh who condemned the action of the youths and elders of the community said, they would have looked at her through the lenses of empathy and sympathy, and condemned what she did but at the same time help her put her life together.
According to her, “Yes I saw this trending on the social media and the first thought was how do I track this woman, because looking at her condition, she will not be able to cope with what has happened to her, shoplifting is a crime but we should look at the peculiarities surrounding her and treat her better instead of subjecting her to torture and expelling her from the community.
“I want to call on the humanitarian actors to track this woman, pull her out of that community and settle her with an option of living a better life.”
