The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old housewife, Aisha Musa, for allegedly attempting to kill her husband by poisoning his food in Gwamma Village, Bauchi Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the suspect, who had been married for about 40 days, allegedly mixed a poisonous substance into her husband’s meal on August 12, 2026.
The incident has attracted attention in the community, with the police beginning an investigation into what may have led to the alleged attempt on the life of the victim.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrest in a statement, saying the incident was reported to the police after a distress call was received from an anonymous woman.
According to Habib, the call came at about 7:40 p.m. from the Wunti Dada area of Bauchi, prompting officers from the ‘C’ Division, Tafawa Balewa Estate, to respond immediately.
He said the officers moved to the scene and found the victim in need of urgent medical attention.
The victim was subsequently taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where he is receiving treatment.
The police spokesman said the victim was in stable condition as of the time of the report.
Habib said the suspect was arrested shortly after the alleged incident and taken into police custody for questioning.
He added that the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation, although the police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators also recovered an empty bottle suspected to have contained poison.
Remnants of the meal allegedly given to the victim were also recovered and registered as exhibits to assist the investigation.
The police said the exhibits would form part of the evidence being examined as investigators work to establish exactly what happened and determine the substance allegedly used.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The transfer is expected to allow detectives to carry out a more detailed investigation into the alleged poisoning, including examining the recovered exhibits and obtaining relevant medical evidence.
The police said the suspect would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.
“The suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” Habib stated.
The alleged incident occurred only about 40 days after the couple got married, according to the police.
The short period of the marriage has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, although the police have not disclosed any possible motive.
No details were provided on whether there had been previous disagreements between the couple or whether any domestic dispute preceded the incident.
The police have also not disclosed the nature of the substance allegedly used or how the suspect reportedly obtained it.
Such details are expected to form part of the investigation being conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Poisoning cases often require scientific examination of food, containers and other materials recovered from the scene. Medical findings from the victim can also help investigators establish whether a poisonous substance was consumed and the effect it had on the victim.
In this case, the recovery of the suspected poison container and remnants of the meal is expected to assist detectives in determining the circumstances of the incident.
The police said the investigation would be conducted in accordance with the law before the suspect is taken to court.
The case comes amid wider concerns over domestic violence and conflicts within families across Nigeria.
While disagreements between couples are common, incidents involving alleged physical attacks or attempts to harm spouses can have serious consequences for families and communities.
Security agencies and civil society organisations have continued to encourage people experiencing domestic disputes or threats to seek help before conflicts escalate.
The police also regularly advise members of the public to report suspicious activities and criminal conduct promptly.
In the Bauchi case, the quick response to the distress call enabled officers to intervene and ensure that the victim received medical attention.
The police said the role played by the anonymous caller demonstrated the importance of residents reporting suspected criminal incidents to security agencies.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property across Bauchi State.
The command said residents should not hesitate to provide useful information that could help security agencies prevent crime and respond quickly to emergencies.
For now, the victim remains under medical care while the suspect is in police custody as investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning.
The police are expected to determine the nature of the substance involved, the circumstances under which it was allegedly administered and the motive behind the alleged act.
Until the investigation is concluded and the matter is determined by a court, the allegations against the suspect remain unproven.
The Bauchi State Police Command said it would provide further information as the investigation progresses, while assuring residents that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
If the allegations are established, the suspect could face criminal charges relating to the alleged attempt to cause harm to her husband.
For now, however, the police said the next step would be to complete the investigation before taking the matter to court.