A woman, Mariya Abdullahi, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command over the alleged poisoning of her co-wife’s two children in Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area, leaving one dead and the other hospitalised.
The incident reportedly occurred around 6 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, when Abdullahi allegedly gave the children, aged four and nine, a substance suspected to be poison.
According to the police, the children became unconscious and were rushed to a nearby clinic, where one was confirmed dead. The surviving child was subsequently referred to a general hospital and was responding to treatment.
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Suspect Claims Friend Influenced Her
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying the suspect was undergoing interrogation.
Abiodun said preliminary investigations indicated that Abdullahi claimed a friend influenced her to commit the alleged act because she was unable to have a child for her husband.
Police Begin Further Investigation
The police said operatives responded to the report at Lapai Division and proceeded to the scene, where they discovered that the children had consumed the suspected poisonous substance.
The statement added that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
