Crime

Woman poisons her co-wife’s two children in Niger State, one passes away

By Linda Ikeji 8 November 2026, 9:22 am

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a woman, Mariya Abdullahi, for allegedly poisoning her co-wife’s two children.

The incident occurred on Friday, November 6, 2026 in Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the children, aged four and nine, drank a substance suspected to be poison from a cup allegedly given to them by Abdullahi.

One of the children passed away shortly after drinking the substance, while the other was rushed to a general hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday said the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming she was influenced by a friend to commit the act because she couldn't bear a child for the husband.

“On 6th November, 2026 at about 6am, a report was received in Lapai Div that one Mariya Abdullahi of Takuti via Lapai administered some substance suspected to be poison to the children of her co-wife,” the statement read.

"The Police operatives moved to the scene, discovered the two children who were 9 & 4yrs, were given the substance to drink, and as a result, they became unconscious.

“They were immediately rushed to a nearby clinic, but on arrival at the clinic, one of the victims gave up the ghost and the other was referred to the general hospital responding to the treatment.”

"The suspect was arrested, undergoing further interrogation. She claimed that she was influenced by a friend to commit the act because she couldn't bear a child for the husband.

“She will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for diligent prosecution.”