Confusion as ‘dead’ mother resurfaces in Enugu

The people of Moore Street in Ogui, Enugu metropolis, were thrown into confusion on Monday night as a woman who was declared dead appeared in her daughter’s shop.

Our correspondent who visited the area reports that Mrs. Felicia Odo who hails from Eha Amufu in Isi- Uzo LGA of Enugu State was said to have died in their village after a brief illness by her daughter, Obioma Odo, who owns a food joint known as “Obioma Fast Food” at No. 38 Moore Street in Ogui.

It was learnt that Obioma, a 26-year old mother of three who now lives as a single mother in Enugu after she broke out with her husband announced her mother’s death to her neigbours in March 2022, a situation that has attracted sympathy and donation to her.

But trouble broke out for her as a result of maltreating her 12-year- old daughter living with her who ran to a neigbour’s house and revealed that her grandmother was not dead as Obioma claimed and Mrs. Felicia was invited to Enugu.

It was learnt that When Obioma cited her mother on Sunday night as she visited, Obioma denied knowing her and ran away but luck ran out of her as she came back to her shop by 10 p.m. on Monday to pack some of her belongings and angry neigbours stopped her and invited the police.

A resident of the area, Ifeoma Amaechi, who spoke to our correspondent who described Obioma as a hardworking woman said, “We are still in shock and disappointment over why she lied about her mother’s death.

She said, “Obioma started selling food on wheel barrow three years ago but as a result of her hardwork, one of the neigbours gave her shop to stay and do her business but in March this year, she told us that her mother fell sick and died in the village and was deposited at Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre, Enugu, and this attracted sympathy as many of us contributed money and gave to her for the mother’s burial.

“One of the neigbours even gave her a bag of rice to use for the burial but we later learnt that she cooked the rice in her shop and sold to customers including the neigbour that donated the rice for her.

“We are still in confusion as we are yet to know why she lied to people that her mother was dead,” Amaechi said.

Narrating the incident, Obioma’s mother, Mrs. Odo, said she is still in shock and yet to believe that her daughter would spread such news while she is still alive.

Mrs. Odo who told Daily Independent that Obioma also lied to her neigbours that her 12-year old daughter living with her is also her cousin sister. I am still in the state of confusion as I don’t know why she is rejecting her own family.

“Obioma gave birth to her first daughter in her father’s house and later got married where she gave birth to two girls but had problem in her marriage and relocated to Enugu where she’s living and doing her business.

“The last two girls are living with her mother In-law but the first daughter was living with me until recently that I brought the girl back to her in Enugu because she doesn’t send money home for the upkeep of her daughter,” she said.

When asked if she had any misunderstanding with her daughter, Mrs. Odo said she is not aware of anyT “the only thing I can remember is that I told her recently that we want to relocate to Enugu town because of insecurity challenges in our area which she assured to get accommodation for us.

“But she is already at the police station; the police are still interrogating her to know the reason behind her mischievous act,” Mrs. Odo said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who said he was not aware of the incident said, “I will need to verify that, please.” (Daily Independent)