Niger woman poisons co-wife’s children, one dies

A woman in Niger State, Mariya Abdullahi, has allegedly poisoned two children of her co-wife out of jealousy over her inability to have children for her husband.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the children, aged four and nine, respectively, drank the poisonous substance from a cup given to them by Abdullahi.

One of the children allegedly became unconscious shortly after drinking the substance and was confirmed dead at a clinic, while the other was rushed to a general hospital, where she was reportedly battling for her life.

The incident happened in Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area, after Abdullahi, allegedly influenced by her friend, gave the children the poisonous drink.

She was said to have confessed to the police at the Lapai Division of the Nigeria Police Force that she decided to kill the children because she had not given her husband a child and had been encouraged to do so by her friend.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying Abdullahi would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation.

“On 6th November, 2026, at about 6am, a report was received at Lapai Division 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 and discovered that the two children, aged nine and four, had been given the substance to drink and, as a result, became unconscious.

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

“The suspect was arrested and 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,” he said.