AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 27-year old housewife, Fatima Dzuma, has been arrested for allegedly killing her husband, Baba Aliyu, by using a pestle to smash his head while he was sleeping, a shocking act that has left the community speechless in Niger State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened in Lafiyagi Dzwafu village, Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State.
The late Baba got married to Fatima three years ago following her divorce from her first husband. While the couple had no children together, Fatima had one child from her previous marriage. The incident occurred during preparations for the naming ceremony of Baba’s first wife’s newborn child.
Mrs. Fatima allegedly confessed to the crime, claiming she acted out of her 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 killing the man, Fatima wrapped Baba’s body in a mat, dragged it to the backyard and cleaned the scene to conceal the crime.
For three days, she denied any knowledge of his whereabouts, even as Baba’s family searched frantically.
She later admitted to the act, stating, “I acted alone,” and attributing her actions to the influence of the devil.
Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
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.”
SP Abiodun stated that the man’s body had been deposited at 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 PPRO stated that the suspect will be charged before the Court for the alleged murder under the Criminal Laws of the State but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.