Housewife allegedly strangles co-wife’s daughter in Kwara

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

A housewife, Sadiat Yunusa, has been arrested in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State for allegedly strangling to death the three-year-old daughter of her co-wife.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Ilorin on Friday on the command’s recent operational successes. He said the alleged killing stemmed from resentment and jealousy linked to a prolonged domestic dispute.

According to Ojo, the case was reported at the Kaiama Divisional Police Headquarters on July 25, 2026. Preliminary investigations showed that the victim, identified as Ummaiyat, had been left in the care of a family member while her mother went to Kaiama Central Market.

He said the suspect allegedly lured the child to a nearby farm settlement, where she strangled her. Prompt police investigations led to Yunusa’s arrest, and she reportedly confessed to committing the offence during interrogation.

Furthermore, Ojo said the suspect claimed she acted out of frustration, alleging that her husband had neglected her and her three children in favour of his second wife. He added that she has since been charged to court.

Meanwhile, the police also arrested three teenagers, Ali Umaru, 16, Alhaji Modu, 17, and Abacha Babagana, 14, for allegedly possessing a large quantity of electronic devices and accessories suspected to be stolen. The suspects were apprehended on July 20, 2026, during a stop-and-search operation along the Oko-Olowo/Alapa axis.

The recovered items included 19 cartons of i17 Air Flip and i17 Air Pro Flip mobile phones, four power banks, five used iPhones, a Samsung Fold phone, Redmi, Tecno Pop and Itel Android phones, a Zealot portable speaker, and two wristwatches. Police said the suspects failed to provide proof of ownership or any documents linking them to the items.

Consequently, the teenagers were taken into custody for further investigation. Ojo said preliminary findings provided sufficient grounds to charge them with possession of property reasonably suspected to have been stolen, and they have been remanded at the appropriate juvenile correctional centre pending further proceedings.