Bauchi woman kills co-wife with pestle

A 43-year-old woman, Jamila Adamu, has died after her 33-year-old co-wife, Hauwa’u Haruna, allegedly struck her on the forehead with a pestle during a domestic confrontation in Bauchi State.

The incident occurred at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate, Bauchi, where both women lived with their husband.

The Bauchi State Police Command said its C-Division received information about the incident at about 4:05pm and immediately deployed detectives to the scene.

According to the police, preliminary investigation indicated that Haruna allegedly attacked Adamu with a pestle, hitting her on the forehead and leaving her unconscious.

The victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where a medical doctor pronounced her dead.

Her remains were deposited at the hospital mortuary pending autopsy, while the suspect was arrested at the scene.

Police said the pestle allegedly used in the attack was also recovered and registered as an exhibit.

The command said preliminary findings suggested that the suspect may have acted while experiencing hallucinations, but added that further investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.

Aliyu condoled with the deceased’s family and urged members of the public to seek timely medical and psychosocial support for relatives experiencing psychological or behavioural difficulties.