‘Jealous wife of native doctor bathed me with acid’

Marbel Mark, 31, from Edo State but married
to a Delta State indegene, has petitioned Edo
State Police Command, urging investigation
into the acid bath she suffered in the hands of
some persons at large. The incident,Sunday
Vanguard learnt, happened in October 2015,
when the victim, based in Spain, with her
seven year-old daughter, visited Nigeria.
Trouble reportedly started when she was said
to have visited a native doctor at Sakpoba
Road, Benin City shortly after her arrival in
Nigeria. Though Sunday Vanguard could not
ascertain the relationship between the woman
and the native doctor, it was said that the wife
of the latter became jealous of the alleged
'close relationship' between the Marbel and
her husband and engaged Marbel in a
shouting match. She accused her of having
an affair with her husband but Marbel refuted
the allegation vehemently, explaining that the
relationship between her and the husband was
purely business.“But of course the wife did
not believe her story and continued to
protest. Neighbours told Sunday Vanguard the
wife feared Marbel may be using her
connection abroad to make her husband
dump her. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the
situation took a turn for the worse when the
native doctor’s wife called Marbel’s husband
in Spain to report the matter to him. It was
gathered that the incident caused problems
between Marbel and her husband.
Tragedy
struck,
however,
when
Marbel
went to
the salon
to fix her
hair, as
unknown
persons
stormed
the place
and
bathed
her with
acid. The
incident
caused
pandemonium as people ran helter-skelter, a
situation which gave the suspects the
opportunity to escape. Marbel was rushed to
the University of Benin Teaching Hospital
(UBTH) for treatment before she was flown
back to her base in Spain for surgery. It was
amid this tragedy that the victim was said to
have sued her husband for divorce, which was
said to have been granted by a court in
Spain. Though the reason for the divorce is
unknown, it was gathered that Marbel’s
husband and the native doctor’s wife
continued their communication to the
discomfort of the victim. However, Marbel,
who is still receiving treatment in the Spanish
hospital, is appealing for justice from Edo
State Police Command. Speaking to Sunday
Vanguard on telephone, the victim lamented:“
I have spent so much hospital bills to save
my life due to the wickedness of somebody. I
have petitioned the state Police Command
through my lawyer. I am only appealing for
justice. The police must apprehend the person
that bathed me with acid and those that sent
them. I have spent all I have on hospital bills
so I cannot equally be denied justice in
Nigeria. I only came on holiday but look at
what I got in return. I need the prayers and
help of everyone, particularly the police so
that those behind this will be apprehended. I
am in pains and those behind this should not
go unpunished. And I appeal that the
investigation should be accelerated because
justice delayed is justice denied. Life has
become so frustrating but I thank God for his
mercies
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the matter is
being investigated by the homicide section of
the Edo Police. It was said that the wife of the
native doctor has been interrogated and some
other persons questioned also. Spokesman
for the state Police Command, Abiodun Osifo,
who hinted that detectives were investigating
the matter, described the attack on the victim
as wicked, assuring that the suspects will be
arrested in due course. “We appeal to
members of the public to help us with useful
information because, without information, the
police can do little or nothing. This is a crime
against God and humanity and we must not
condone it. How can somebody bath a fellow
human being with acid? Even if the person is
your enemy, does that make sense? Such
people must face the law no matter where
they are hiding. You cannot run forever. I
believe the police will uncover the suspects
and bring them to justice”