In Tarauni local government area of Kano State, two women married to the same husband are trading blames after a newborn baby died few minutes after a visit by her stepmother. NE reports
The joy experienced by Sadiya Hassan of Darmanawa in Tarauni local government area of Kano state after successfully giving birth to a baby girl was shattered when the baby died minutes after her estranged co-wife, Binta allegedly visited her.
NE reports that the women are married to one Salisu Haruna, a tanker driver with a popular filling station in Kano state. The two housewives were living together with their husband until a brawl broke out between them, weeks before Sadiya gave birth.
Neighbours said the husband returned the two women to their parents but that week, he allowed the youngest wife, Binta to return to his house.
“While the senior wife Sadiya was living with her parents, her children were staying with their father and step mother. The situation of the family was like that until when Sadiya gave birth to her baby penultimate Wednesday. Their husband did not divorce them, he only returned them to their parents,” a woman said.
Our correspondent gathered that 24 hours after Sadiya gave birth, her co-wife Binta went to visit her and less than 20 minutes after carrying the baby, the infant gave up the ghost in a mysterious circumstances.
Binta, a 21-year-old mother of one, is now in custody at the Tarauni Divisional Police Station in Kano State for allegedly killing the baby.
Speaking to our correspondent, Sadiya alleged that her co-wife used a sharp object to stab the baby on her stomach during her visit.
“We were no longer together because of the scuffle we had and that was why I was surprised when she came to visit me a day after I gave birth to my baby. When she came she was restless, she carried the baby and was going up and down. Later she told me that her money was missing that I should get her torchlight to illuminate the compound. We gave her the torchlight but no money was found.
“My co-wife left with my younger sister and my baby. Few minutes later, my baby was returned by my son and she was breathing abnormally. When I examined her, I discovered cuts on her tummy and other parts of her body. She died few minutes after,” she said.
In an interview with newsmen, Amina, Sadiya’s younger sister, said Binta collected the baby from her and put her under the hijab she wore.
“When my boyfriend came he insisted that I should bring my sister’s new baby for him to see. I went inside to bring her. While I was with my boyfriend, Binta, my sisters’ co-wife, came and collected the baby from me. She put the baby under her hijab, I did not say anything because I taught she put her there because of the cold weather.
“About 10 minutes later, she came back and started limping and rushing. She told me that the baby gave her problem. When I asked her how, she told me that she fell down while trying to climb the pavement. She then gave the baby to my nephew and she asked him to return her back to their mother,” she said.
She said shortly after Binta left, her sister called and informed her that the baby was no longer breathing.
“She killed the baby because when she put the baby under her hijab I saw her pressing something. I suspect it was at that time she used a sharp object to cut her,” Amina alleged.
However, while speaking to our correspondent, Binta denied killing the baby, saying her co-wife and her relations were only trying to set her up.
“Yes I went to greet her after seeking our husband’s consent. Even if we were fighting that does not mean I should not rejoice with her when she puts to bed. When I collected the baby from her sister and I was returning her to my co-wife I fell down on my way. The baby was crying and I gave her to her elder brother. He was the one that took her to their mother. I don’t know whether the baby sustained any injury when we fell down,” she said.
Spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent Magaji Musa Majia, confirmed the incident and said that preliminary investigation into the matter has commenced.
“The suspect is claiming that she fell down with the baby but careful examination proves contrary. The late baby had five injuries on her but the suspect had none on her body. We are waiting for the medical report in order to advance our investigation,” he said in a telephone chat.
After preliminary investigation, he said, they will transfer the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further action.
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