Zainab Isa, 22, a young woman in Yobe State has allegedly stabbed her 25-year-old husband to death following a dispute over feeding.
The incident, which occurred in the Abbari Ward of Damaturu, the capital of the state left the community mourning and brought attention to the pressing issues of domestic violence and socioeconomic hardship, a problem faced by many families.
The tragedy ensued on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, when a heated argument erupted between the suspect and her late husband Ibrahim Yahaya.
A video clip obtained by WikkiTimes indicated that the couple’s fight was sparked by a disagreement over food, and quickly escalated into violence. “Whenever I requested food, he will fight me and this has been for long,” Zainab said in the footage.
On that faithful day, Zainab, in a desperate act of self-defence, stabbed her husband Ibrahim in the chest with a knife, according to DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, a Police Spokesman in Yobe State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Abdulkarim said despite the swift arrival of a police rescue team, Ibrahim succumbed to his injuries.
“On 26-06-24, at about 1000hrs, the C Divisional Police Headquarters received a complaint from a neighbour in Abbari Ward, Damaturu, about a couple, Ibrahim Yahaya, 25 years old, and Zainab Isa, 22 years old.
“The couple had a violent argument on the same date at about 0900hrs, which escalated into a scuffle. The wife used a knife to stab the husband in the chest, and he subsequently died from his grievous injury before the police rescue team arrived,” the statement read in part.
However, confirming the incident to WikkiTimes, the Police Spokesman worried about how the interrogations with the suspected woman in the police Division went viral, vowing to investigate and take disciplinary action against who first posted it online. “We have ethics, and it’s not good to share this thing online,” he said.
A Troubled Marriage
In her confession to the police, Zainab revealed the distressing circumstances of her marriage.
She explained that the incident was not premeditated but an act of self-defence during an altercation with her late husband.
Zainab, still recovering from a recent cesarean section, stated that their marriage had been marred by violence from the start, often triggered by her requests for basic necessities such as food.
“I never intended to kill him,” Zainab said, tears streaming down her face. “I was just trying to protect myself. We fought because I asked for food. He got angry and started beating me. I was weak and in pain from my operation and didn’t know what else to do.”
Their marriage, already strained by financial difficulties, deteriorated further after the birth of their second child. Ibrahim’s inability to provide for the family intensified the domestic strife, leading to frequent violent outbursts. “Every time I asked for money or food, he would beat me,” Zainab told the Police.
Police Response
According to DSP Abdulkarim, the Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the importance of addressing domestic violence and socioeconomic issues proactively.
He urged couples experiencing abuse to report it to the authorities or seek redress through the nearest Sharia or family court.
The Yobe State Police Command also called on community members to take a more active role in addressing marital issues. “The command calls on community members to address marital relationship issues with keen interest and a socioeconomic perspective to prevent escalation from minor crises to larger ones, such as homicide,” CP Ahmed added.
The statement added that Zainab was brought to the state CID for investigation and subsequent arraignment before the court for determination.
The Human Cost of Domestic Strife
The rift that led to the death of Ibrahim caused by his wife Zainab is one of several examples of how domestic violence, exacerbated by financial hardship, can lead to irreversible consequences, minimally to divorce.
The woman’s actions, driven by fear and desperation, resulted in the loss of her husband’s life and left her facing legal repercussions. Their children including the three-week baby, are now left without a father and a mother entangled in a legal battle.
