The Adamawa State Police Command said its officers are investigating two separate incidents of culpable homicide arising from domestic violence in Madagali and Gombi local government areas.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, in a statement issued on Wednesday, disclosed that the first incident occurred in Pallam District, Madagali.
According to the statement, a preliminary investigation showed that a physical confrontation erupted between two co-wives, Rhoda Anthony, aged 55, and Victoria Anthony, aged 36, both married to one Anthony Pallam.
“During the altercation, Victoria’s son, Ijai Anthony, aged 16, reportedly struck his stepmother, Rhoda Anthony, on the head with a piece of wood, causing her to collapse, upon receiving the report the Divisional Police officer Madagali Promptly mobilised to the scene and rushed the victim to Cottage Hospital Madagali, but was later confirmed dead while receiving treatment,” the statement read.
He said that the suspect and his mother had been taken into protective custody as the investigation progressed.
The statement added, “In another similar tragic incident occurred in Fotta District, Gombi Local Government Area.
“The Command received a distress report that one Idi Buba attacked his biological father, Buba Jelli, by stabbing him on the neck and back with a knife, following a domestic altercation.
“The victim was immediately rushed to the Primary Health Care Centre in Fotta, where he sadly died while receiving treatment.”
Nguroje confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the scene, and the knife used in the attack had also been recovered and would be treated as an exhibit against the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Dankombo Morris, has condemned these acts of violence, especially those involving family members.
He called on all residents to always exercise restraint, avoid taking the law into their hands, and seek peaceful means in resolving conflicts.
He said that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned upon completion of the investigations.
PUNCH
A tragic reminder of the growing domestic violence crisis in Nigeria. When homes become battlefields, society must urgently reflect and respond with counseling, community intervention, and justice reform.