The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a woman, Sadiat Yunusa, for allegedly strangling her three-year-old stepdaughter, Ummaiyat Y., to death in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police, the suspect claimed that her husband had neglected her and their three children in favour of his second wife.
The police alleged that the suspect lured the child from her home to a nearby farm settlement, where she allegedly killed her following a prolonged family dispute.
Explaining further, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the incident occurred on July 25 after the victim’s mother left the child in the care of a family member while she went to the Kaiama Central Market.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly took the child from the house to a nearby farm settlement, where she strangled her.
Ejire-Adeyemi said detectives attached to the Kaiama Divisional Police Headquarters immediately launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
She said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation and told investigators that her action was driven by resentment and jealousy arising from a prolonged domestic dispute.
‘Prompt investigative efforts led to the arrest of the suspect, who during interrogation voluntarily confessed to the commission of the offence.
‘She disclosed that the act was motivated by resentment and jealousy arising from a prolonged domestic dispute, alleging that her husband had neglected her and her three children in favour of his second wife,’ the police spokesperson said.
Ejire-Adeyemi said investigation into the case had been concluded and the suspect had been charged to court for prosecution.
The police spokesperson also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts to tackle crime across the state.