A 28-year-old newly married woman, Firdausi Musa, and her two children sustained severe burns after her co-wife, Maryam Muhammad, allegedly poured petrol on them and set them ablaze in the Hotoro area of Kano.
The incident reportedly occurred late Monday night at Mai Allo area of Hotoro quarters and has thrown residents into shock, while the suspect is currently being held at the Mariri Police Division.
The victims, identified as Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3, are receiving treatment alongside their mother at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital respectively.
Their husband, Malam Saminu, who reportedly sustained burns while attempting to rescue the victims from the fire, is also undergoing treatment.
Speaking with Daily Trust, a younger brother to Firdausi, Buhari Musa Sa’ad, said the family received a distress call around 3 a.m. informing them that his sister, her husband and the two children had been set ablaze by the co-wife.
Sa’ad disclosed that Firdausi had spent less than two weeks in the matrimonial home before the incident occurred.
He added that the two children affected in the fire were from her previous marriage and were stepchildren to the husband, who works as a tricycle rider.
A relative of the victim, identified simply as Rukayya, said Firdausi had earlier complained about threats and intimidation allegedly coming from the co-wife before the attack.
Rukayya further stated that the victim personally narrated how her co-wife allegedly poured petrol on her and ignited the fire.
She added that Firdausi had temporarily left the house earlier that day due to repeated threats but later returned after intervention by her husband.
