By Akpos Oje
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a woman, Zaliha Shuaibu, over the alleged murder of her co-wife’s three-month-old son in Malari village, Soba Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which occurred on May 13, 2025, has thrown the community into shock. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, the tragedy unfolded within a shared family compound where Zaliha lived with her husband and his other wife, Maryam Ibrahim, the infant’s mother.
Sources revealed that Maryam briefly stepped out to use the bathroom, leaving her baby in the room. Upon her return, she found Zaliha holding the child. Moments later, she realized the baby was in distress, foaming at the mouth with a wound on his neck.
Despite being rushed to a nearby health facility, the child was declared dead on arrival. The police, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Soba Division, swiftly apprehended Zaliha, who later confessed during interrogation that she had fed the baby acid. She further implicated her husband’s younger brother, Lawal Muhammad, as an accomplice who provided the toxic substance. Lawal is currently on the run.
Kaduna State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that all those involved will be prosecuted. He also emphasized that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive suspect, pledging that justice will prevail.