THE Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a woman identified as Zaliha Shuaibu for the alleged murder of her co-wife’s three-month-old baby boy in Malari Village, Soba Local Government Area of the state.
The incident took place on May 13, 2025, at the home shared by the suspect, her husband, and the victim’s mother.
This was revealed on Friday in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, made available to journalists.
Hassan explained that Maryam Ibrahim, the co-wife of Shuaibu, had left her son alone in her room while she went to the bathroom.
Upon returning, she found the baby with the suspect.
When Shuaibu handed the child back to Ibrahim, the infant was found in an unusual state, with foam in his mouth and an injury on his neck, which eventually led to his death.
“According to preliminary investigations, the second wife, Maryam Ibrahim, had briefly stepped out to use the restroom, leaving her infant son in her room. “Upon her return, she found her co-wife, Zaliha holding the baby.
“Zaliha handed the child back to Maryam, who immediately noticed foam coming out of the baby’s mouth and an injury on his neck.
“The child was crying, he was immediately rushed to the Village hospital , where he was unfortunately confirmed dead,” Hassan said.
The PPRO stated that following a thorough investigation, it was established that Shuaibu was responsible for the death, aided by a conspiracy involving her and her husband’s younger brother.
She confessed to using acid to carry out the act.
“Following the incident, the DPO Soba swung into action and apprehended Zaliha Shuaibu, the accused person.
“During interrogation, she confessed to the crime and revealed that she conspired with one Lawal Muhammad, the husband’s junior brother, who is currently at large, that he provided her with the acid used to commit the act,” Hassan said.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, in the statement, assured the public that justice will be served and that all suspects involved in the crime will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.