The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, has advised victims of domestic violence to leave their abusers, warning that marriage is a choice, rather than an obligation.
This advice came during an alert raised by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu on Friday [today], reporting the abuse of a pregnant woman by her husband in Warri.
Gwamnishu quoted the domestic abuse victim as saying, “I’m seven months pregnant and I have been suffering all kinds of abuse by my husband.”
DSP Edafe responded promptly, instructing, “Direct her to the nearest Police station and also advise her that marriage is not by force. She can get out while she is still alive.”
This incident follows a previous case where a domestic violence victim, despite police intervention, returned to her abusive husband.
Expressing bewilderment, Edafe had questioned the societal pressure around marriage, asking, “Is marriage by force? Is it a must that everybody must marry? Is it so difficult to walk away?”
