By Jemilu Hassan
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A shocking and disturbing incident has occurred in Lafiyagi Dzwafu village, Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State, where a 27-year-old woman, Fatima Dzuma, allegedly killed her husband, Baba Aliyu, with a pestle. The incident has left the community reeling in shock and horror.
According to local sources, Baba Aliyu married Fatima three years ago, after she divorced her first husband. Although the couple had no children together, Fatima had a child from her previous marriage. The incident occurred during preparations for the naming ceremony of Baba’s first wife’s newborn child.
Fatima allegedly confessed to the crime, claiming she acted out of disinterest in her husband. She reportedly strangled him with a scarf and struck him multiple times with a pestle while he slept, breaking his hand in the process. After the murder, Fatima wrapped Baba’s body in a mat, dragged it to the backyard, and cleaned the scene to conceal the crime.
For three days, Fatima denied any knowledge of Baba’s whereabouts, even as his family searched frantically for him. She later admitted to the act, stating, “I acted alone,” and attributing her actions to the influence of the devil.
The Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement on January 2, 2025. According to the police, Baba’s lifeless body was discovered in a bush near Katcha on December 31, 2024, following a report by local residents. Operatives from the Katcha Police Division promptly responded, leading to Fatima’s arrest.
During interrogation, Fatima admitted to killing her husband after a violent altercation in which he allegedly beat her. She confessed to attacking him with a pestle while he was asleep and later disposing of the body in a bush to cover her tracks.
Abiodun stated that the body had been sent to Bida General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Fatima remains in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
The incident has raised concerns about the increasing rate of domestic violence and murder in Niger State, and the need for urgent attention to address the root causes of these crimes.
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