By Sabiu Abdullahi
A woman, Mariya Abdullahi, has been arrested for allegedly poisoning her co-wife’s 2 children in Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving one dead and the other hospitalised.
The victims, aged 4 and 9, reportedly became unconscious after drinking a substance suspected to be poison, which Abdullahi allegedly gave them in a cup.
The incident occurred on Friday, November 6. One of the children died shortly after being taken to a nearby clinic, while the other was referred to a general hospital, where she was receiving treatment.
Abdullahi reportedly told police investigators that she committed the act because she had been unable to bear a child for her husband. She also claimed that a friend influenced her decision.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.
He said, “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 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 and she is undergoing further interrogation. She claimed that she was influenced by a friend to commit the act because she couldn’t bear a child for her husband.
“She will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for diligent prosecution.”
