The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Sufiyanu Aliyu, for allegedly killing his 15-year-old wife, Suwaiba Abubakar, in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.
The shocking incident reportedly took place on October 27, 2025, at the suspect’s residence in Gwanyal Village, sparking widespread outrage and renewed calls for stronger protection of young girls from early and forced marriages.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said in a statement on Wednesday that the case was first reported to the police by a good Samaritan who alerted authorities about the killing.
According to DSP Rufai, the police received the distress report on the evening of October 27 and immediately deployed operatives to the scene.
“Upon receiving the report, operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene. The area was visited, processed, and cordoned off for forensic analysis,” he said.
The police spokesman explained that when officers arrived, they found the suspect at the scene and recovered a knife believed to have been used in committing the crime. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and his young wife had a domestic argument that later turned violent.
“Allegedly, Aliyu used a knife to inflict fatal injuries on the victim, leading to her death,” DSP Rufai said.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed her death.
According to the police, Aliyu confessed to the crime during interrogation and gave details of the argument that led to the attack. However, investigators have not yet disclosed the cause of the dispute, as the case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
DSP Rufai said the Sokoto Police Command had commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
He added that forensic evidence from the scene had been collected and analysed, while the knife and other items recovered had been kept as exhibits.
“The suspect has been charged to court after preliminary investigations, and the case has been taken over by the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action,” he said.
The command also urged members of the public to continue reporting domestic violence and suspicious activities, assuring that the police would not hesitate to prosecute offenders regardless of their social or marital status.
The tragic death of 15-year-old Suwaiba Abubakar has once again drawn attention to the issue of child marriage and domestic violence in parts of northern Nigeria.
In several northern states, early marriages remain common, particularly in rural communities. Human rights groups have long warned that many young girls forced into early marriages often face abuse, violence, and health risks due to their age and lack of maturity.
Child rights activists who spoke to journalists in Sokoto described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “a sad reminder of the dangers of child marriage.”
One activist, Aisha Umar, said: “No girl should be in a marriage at 15. She is still a child and should be in school, not in a situation where her life can be cut short like this. The government must take action to stop these tragedies.”
Another local resident, Malam Ismail Gwanyo, called on traditional and religious leaders to work with security agencies to raise awareness about domestic violence and the need to protect young brides from abuse.
He said, “People need to understand that violence against women, whether young or old, is unacceptable. The killing of this girl is painful to the entire community. We are cooperating with the police to ensure justice is served.”
Under Nigerian law, murder is a capital offence that carries severe punishment, including the death penalty or life imprisonment, depending on the court’s verdict.
The Sokoto State Police Command has assured that the suspect will face full prosecution in accordance with the law.
The case also brings back discussions around Nigeria’s Child Rights Act (2003), which sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. However, the law has not been domesticated in several northern states, including Sokoto, where customary and religious laws still influence marriage practices.
According to UNICEF, about 43% of girls in Nigeria are married before the age of 18, and 16% before the age of 15. The organization has repeatedly called for stronger legal enforcement and public education to protect girls from early marriage and its related risks.
Nigeria has recorded several similar incidents in recent years involving the murder of young wives by their husbands. In 2023, a 17-year-old girl was killed by her 22-year-old husband in Kano State during an argument, while in 2024, police in Bauchi arrested a man for allegedly beating his teenage wife to death over a minor disagreement.
As the Sokoto police continue their investigation, residents of Tangaza Local Government Area say they are still in shock over the death of young Suwaiba Abubakar, whose life was tragically cut short.
For now, the suspect, Sufiyanu Aliyu, remains in police custody, facing prosecution for murder — a case that has once again ignited calls for justice, reform, and better protection for Nigeria’s most vulnerable girls.
