By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
A tragic domestic dispute in Daba Village, Bauchi Local Government Area, has resulted in the death of a newborn baby and the arrest of a 20-year-old woman, Rabi Abubakar, accused of infanticide and causing deadly hurt.
The spokesman of the Nigeria police Command in Bauchi State, SP Nafiu Habib said the alleged attack on July 17, 2026, reportedly caused a heated altercation broke out between Rabi Abubakar and her 30-year-old co-wife linked to the Gender Based Violence, SGBV.
The spokesman explained that the dispute, Rabi allegedly poured boiling water over her heavily pregnant co-wife, causing severe injuries during the incident at Tafawa Balewa Estate.
The victim was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi by concerned women for emergency medical care, according to the report.
The statement party read: “In a report received on 22nd July 2026 at about 0800hrs from the Officer In-Charge, Dabe Police Outstation, Soro Division, it was alleged that on 17th July, 2026 at about 0730hrs, the suspect poured boiled water on her 30-years-old co-wife, of the same address, during a domestic altercation.
“Following the incident, the victim was rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, for medical treatment.
“While on admission, and despite being heavily pregnant at the time of the assault, the victim gave birth to a baby boy on 19th July, 2026.
“Unfortunately, the newborn had severe burn injuries and died on the same day. The victim is currently stable and responding to treatment.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives immediately visited the scene.
“The suspect was subsequently traced, arrested, and during preliminary interrogation, she voluntarily confessed to the commission of the offence”, SP Habib said.
He also said in the statement that on July 19, while still receiving treatment for her severe burns, she gave birth to a baby boy.
Tragically, the infant was born with severe burn injuries sustained during the hot water attack on his mother and died shortly after birth.
The mother remains hospitalized in stable condition and is responding to treatment, the statement said after a report received on July 22, operatives from the ‘C’ Division, Tafawa Balewa Estate, arrested Rabi Abubakar.
Police authority confirmed that she voluntarily confessed to the crime during initial interrogation.
Consequently, the suspect was taken into police custody, the police spokesman said the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.
Responding, the police Commissioner in the State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the violent act and promised a diligent prosecution while urging the public to resolve domestic disputes peacefully and report violence to authorities immediately.
