A woman, Ella Jeffery, has explained why she tore her husband Joe Jeffery’s international passport before travellers and airport staff at the weekend.
The dramatic incident, which quickly went viral on social media, sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the extreme action.
In a video posted on the couple’s family Facebook page, (jejojafamilytv), Ella Jeffery said her action was the culmination of long-standing marital and family tensions. “I am not a mad woman,” she stated, dismissing the notion that her actions were irrational or impulsive.
She explained that she has been enduring significant stress in the marriage, particularly due to her husband’s close ties with his family, which she described as overbearing.
“I have been going through a lot, and He’s a mummy’s boy, sister’s boy. I did what I did. Nobody can arrest me. I suffered with him,” Ella explained.
She stressed her actions were a last resort after enduring years of frustration and feeling unheard.
She emphasised that while many online commentators were quick to judge based on the viral video, they lacked context for her actions.
“You have to ask what happened, don’t just look at the actions alone,” she urged viewers, adding that she felt compelled to act after arriving in Nigeria from Europe, where she had been silently enduring the struggles.
The video has garnered significant attention on social media platforms
“I have my reasons,” she said, stressing that her breaking point was after dealing with persistent family issues and l husband’s inability to stand up for her.
Ella also revealed that she had lost control of her social media pages, which had been managed by her husband.
This, she claimed, was part of the control her husband exerted over her, further compounding her sense of helplessness. “Is it when I die that you all will say that this woman didn’t speak up?” she asked rhetorically.
While Ella did not provide specific details about the events leading up to the passport destruction, she hinted that those familiar with her struggles, particularly men who have sisters and understand similar family pressures, might sympathise with her actions.
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about marital dynamics and the pressures faced by spouses in difficult relationships.
While some online users have expressed sympathy for Ella, others have criticized her for resorting to such a drastic measure.
Joe Jeffery is yet to publicly respond to the incident or his wife’s statements.
