On 6 November 2026, police in the Lapai division of Niger State, Nigeria, arrested Mariya Abdullahi after she allegedly poisoned the children of her co‑wife in the Takuti community.
The two children, aged four and nine, were said to have drunk a substance from a cup given to them by Abdullahi. One child died shortly after ingesting the suspected poison, while the other was rushed to the general hospital and is reportedly receiving treatment.
Abdullahi told police that she had decided to poison the children because she had not borne a child for her husband and had been encouraged to do so by a friend.
“The suspect will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation,” said Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman for the Niger State Police Command.
Abiodun added that the police received a report at about 6 am on the day of the incident, found the children unconscious, and immediately transported them to a nearby clinic. One child died en route, while the other was referred to the general hospital. Abdullahi is currently undergoing interrogation and will soon be transferred to the SCID in Minna for prosecution.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
