A woman, identified as Mariya Abdullahi, has allegedly poisoned her co-wife’s two children, killing one and leaving the other hospitalised in the Takuti community, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, November 6, 2026, when Abdullahi allegedly gave the children, aged four and nine, a substance suspected to be poison in a cup.
It was gathered that one of the children died shortly after consuming the substance, while the surviving victim was rushed to a general hospital, where she was receiving medical attention as of the time of filing this report.
Preliminary accounts indicated that the suspect allegedly carried out the act after being influenced by a friend, following her frustration over her inability to have a child for her husband.
Abdullahi reportedly confessed to the police at the Lapai Division that she decided to poison her co-wife’s children because she had not been able to bear a child of her own.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing interrogation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said operatives received a report about the incident at approximately 6am on November 6 and immediately moved to the scene.
According to him, the two children became unconscious after allegedly consuming the suspected poisonous substance and were taken to a nearby clinic for emergency medical attention.
Abiodun said one of the victims was pronounced dead on arrival at the clinic, while the other was referred to a general hospital, where she was responding to treatment.
He said, “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 the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, for diligent prosecution.”
The police spokesman assured that further investigations would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that the suspect faces prosecution.
