A dark cloud has fallen over Enugwu Village, Nanka, Orumba North LGA, Anambra State, following the brutal killing of 32-year-old Lilian Nzubechukwu Uchenwoke, fondly called “Social Lady.” The vibrant and hardworking young woman was struck to death with a mortar by her mentally unstable cousin on June 13, 2025, in a shocking attack that has left the community devastated.
Lilian had gone to graze her father’s sheep when her cousin, described as mentally unwell, suddenly attacked her. Witnesses say the blow to her head was fatal, ending her life instantly. The senseless act has sparked outrage and renewed concern about Nigeria’s lack of mental health intervention systems, particularly in rural areas.
The entire Nanka community was thrown into mourning as friends, family, and neighbors struggled to comprehend the tragedy. Lilian, remembered for her humility, cheerfulness, and devotion to family, was described as “a light whose shine was cut short too soon.”
Her funeral Mass was held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at her father’s compound in Enugwu Village, where hundreds gathered to pay their final respects. On Sunday, August 31, a solemn thanksgiving Mass followed at St. Gregory De Great Catholic Church, Enugwu Nanka, celebrating her short but impactful life.
Many who attended wept openly as testimonies poured in about Lilian’s kindness and her role as a dedicated daughter and community figure. “Ada, it’s well with your soul. You were loved deeply, and you will never be forgotten,” one mourner whispered during the service.
The incident has reignited calls from activists and health professionals for urgent mental health reforms in Nigeria, stressing that untreated psychiatric cases often spill into deadly outcomes for innocent families. Stakeholders say more resources must be invested in awareness, treatment, and community-level support structures to prevent similar tragedies.
As the Uchenwoke family continues to grieve, their pain has become a rallying cry for change. Lilian’s memory now stands as both a reminder of the nation’s mental health crisis and a call to action to protect vulnerable individuals and families from preventable loss.
