By Adeyemi Adeola, DOHS Femicide Research Hub.
A 34-year old lady, Ugochi Anosike was raped and murdered on the 3rd of November 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
With the state’s police command withholding the main perpetrator’s identity, only the alias ‘Black Maria’ is of public knowledge. ‘Black Maria’ was a neighbour to the victim, who had complained of being harassed by him in the past to their landlord’s daughter, Chioma.
In her final moments, the victim was raped and strangled by ‘Black Maria’ in her room, with the help of the landlord’s daughter Chioma who held her legs while the abuse occurred.
Additionally, given the circumstances of the crime, the state is mandated to order an autopsy. Yet, the bereaved have been burdened not only with grief, loss, despair and helplessness; but also the cost of the autopsy.
The absence of a formal statement till date from the Rivers state police department, the reluctance to acknowledge the involvement of the co-perpetrator (landlord’s daughter), the act of withholding the main perpetrator’s identity as well as the obligation of autopsy dues shifted upon bereaved family, interpretes lack of transparency. This suggests investigation is being delayed intentionally.
It is only valid to question the state’s attitude to the case.
We refuse to have this be yet another add-on to the pile of gender-based violence cases without justice.
The perpetrators, ‘Black Maria’ and Chioma, should be charged. Ugochi deserves requital. We demand accountability and justice for Ugochi! Success Anosike, hoping that Law enforcement do not frustrate this process.
With over 170 femicide cases tracked by the DOHS Cares Foundation in the first 10 months of 2025, the prevalence of Femicide in Nigeria becomes more glaring and alarming. We urge the Federal Government to immediately take steps to halt this.
Ugochi will be one of the Victims the Foundation will run for, during the Global Race against Femicide, on the 29th of November 2025.