Ramadan Fast: Husband brutally beats wife over piece of fish

34-year-old Mrs. Fatima Bankole was on 16th of July battered by her husband, Alhaji Kamoru Bankole, for daring to take a piece of fish from the pot to break her fast. The victim is the first of his three wives, at their residence in Alasia, Ijanikin in Lagos State.

The attack happened when the third wife reported to their husband that their senior wife took a piece of fish from the soup to break her fast. The husband, according to witnesses, did not listen to her excuse before attacking her.

According to the victim, their husband had always physically abused her, but the incident of July 16th was more brutal.

She narrated that they had made a roster between two wives, due to the absence of the third wife who was away at the period, to cook for 15 days each. The victim said she had completed her period, and it was turn of the last wife. She said they would normally serve the husband first, followed by the children before the wives would serve themselves.

On the day she was attacked, Mrs. Fatima said the last wife had finished her cooking and served their husband and the children. She then went for her own meal. But soon after, the last wife complained to her husband that Fatima took a larger chunk of the fish in the pot.

Their husband, Alhaji Kamoru Bankole, queried her, but she said that she only took a little out of it, stating that the fish was in pieces and mixed in the stew.

Her explanations, however, got her in trouble with their husband. Alhaji Kamoru, she details, delivered several punches to her face. She said she bled for hours and was further locked up in a room for three days before she escaped.

She said neighbors then took her to the hospital for treatment. That was the cruelest from her history of experience of assault by their husband, Mrs. Fatima said. From experiences she recounted, she recalled how her hair was pulled out of her head, which resulted in grievous head injuries.

Saharareporters learned that police have now arrested the husband, following outcry and petitions by the Women Arise civil group in Lagos. He will be arraigned in court next week.