A 20-year-old woman, identified as Rabi Abubakar, has been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly pouring boiling water on her pregnant co-wife during a domestic dispute, an attack that reportedly led to the death of the victim's newborn baby.
The incident occurred on July 17 at about 7:30 a.m. in Daba Village, Bauchi Local Government Area of the state, where the suspect allegedly attacked her 30-year-old co-wife with hot water following a disagreement at their residence.
The victim sustained severe burns and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for urgent medical treatment.
While receiving treatment, she gave birth to a baby boy on July 19. However, the infant, who reportedly suffered severe burns during the attack, died later the same day. The mother is said to be responding well to treatment and remains in stable condition.
Confirming the incident on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Bauchi State Command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed that the case was formally reported to the police on July 22 by the officer in charge of the Dabe Police Outstation under the Soro Division.
According to him, police detectives immediately launched an investigation, visited the scene, and arrested the suspect.
Habib added that the suspect allegedly confessed to the offence during interrogation. The matter has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation and possible prosecution.
"The suspect is currently in police custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law," the police spokesperson said.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged assault, describing domestic violence as unacceptable.
He assured the public that justice would be served and urged residents to resolve family disputes through peaceful dialogue. He also encouraged victims and witnesses of domestic violence to promptly report such incidents to security agencies for swift intervention.