Bauchi Police Arrest 20-Year-Old Woman Over Hot Water Attack on Pregnant Co-Wife, Newborn Dies

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old woman, Rabi Abubakar, for allegedly pouring hot water on her pregnant co-wife during a domestic dispute, an attack that led to the death of the victim’s newborn baby.

The incident occurred on July 17, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m. in Daba Village, Bauchi Local Government Area. Police said the suspect poured boiling water on her 30-year-old co-wife during a domestic altercation.

The victim sustained severe burns and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi for treatment. While receiving medical care and despite being heavily pregnant, she gave birth to a baby boy on July 19. The newborn suffered severe burn injuries and died the same day.

Police said the mother is currently in stable condition and responding to treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the case was reported to the police on July 22 by the officer in charge of the Dabe Police Outstation in Soro Division. “Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene,” Habib said. “The suspect was subsequently traced and arrested, and during preliminary interrogation, she voluntarily confessed to the commission of the offence.”

The suspect remains in police custody, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution, according to the police spokesperson.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged attack, describing it as unacceptable. “The Command will ensure a diligent investigation and prosecution of the matter in accordance with the law,” he said.

The commissioner also appealed to residents to resolve domestic disagreements peacefully and report cases of domestic violence promptly to the police for intervention.