Woman allegedly pours hot water on pregnant co-wife, newborn dies in Bauchi

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 reportedly led to the death of a newborn baby.

The suspect, a resident of Daba Village in Bauchi Local Government Area, was arrested by operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Tafawa Balewa Estate, following an investigation into the incident.

According to the police, the attack occurred on July 17, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., when the suspect allegedly 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 (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical treatment. While receiving treatment, she gave birth to a baby boy on July 19. However, the newborn, who also suffered severe burn injuries, died on the same day.

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

Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Friday, 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. The suspect was subsequently traced and arrested, and during preliminary interrogation, she voluntarily confessed to the commission of the offence,” Habib said.

He added that the suspect remains in police custody and that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Reacting to the incident, 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,” the commissioner said.

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

Woman allegedly pours hot water on pregnant co-wife, newborn dies in Bauchi