Kano residents are in shock after a woman, Maryam Muhammad, allegedly doused her 28-year-old co-wife, Firdausi Musa, and her two young children with petrol and set them ablaze in the Hotoro area of the Kano metropolis.
Stunning the local community, the horrific attack took place late Monday night in the Mai Allo area of Hotoro.
While the suspect remains in custody at the Mariri Police Division, the injured children, Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3, are undergoing emergency treatment with their mother at the Dala National Orthopaedic Hospital and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
However, their father, Malam Saminu, who reportedly sustained burns while trying to rescue them from the fire, is also undergoing treatment.
Buhari Musa Sa’ad, Firdausi’s younger brother, told Daily Trust that a frantic 3:00 AM phone call alerted the family that his sister and her family were set ablaze.
According to Sa’ad, Firdausi had spent barely two weeks in her matrimonial home before the horrific attack occurred.
“She is around 28 years old. The children who got burned are the ones she brought with her from her previous marriage. They are stepchildren to the husband, who works as a tricycle rider,” he added.
Chilling details emerge as Rukayya, a relative of the victim, revealed to Daily Trust that Firdausi had been facing intense intimidation and threats from the co-wife.
“We were lying down here when she was brought in, and she told us herself that it was her co-wife who poured petrol on her and lit a match,” she recounted.
According to Rukayya, the terror was so severe that Firdausi fled the house earlier that day, but was tragically persuaded to return after her husband intervened.
While official confirmation from the Kano State Police Command is still pending, public outrage continues to grow against this barbaric act. Stakeholders insist the suspect must face justice if convicted in a court of law.
