Zainab Abioye
A 25-year-old woman, Erdoo Ugede, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing the two-month-old son of her husband’s alleged mistress in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident, which has thrown the Ankyoov community in Ikyogbaji Council Ward into mourning, reportedly occurred after the suspect allegedly invited the child’s mother and the infant to live with her in her matrimonial home.
Residents said the suspect, who is said to have no child of her own, was aware that the baby had been fathered by her husband with another woman but insisted that the mother and child should move into the family house, a gesture many initially interpreted as an act of reconciliation.
A community source told PLATFORM TIMES that no one suspected the suspect had any ulterior motive.
According to the source, tragedy struck when the child’s mother briefly left for a nearby market, leaving the two-month-old baby in the care of the suspect.
“The mother stepped out to buy something, leaving the baby with the woman. While she was away, the suspect allegedly struck the infant with an object, killing him,” the source said.
The source added that the baby’s cries attracted neighbours, who rushed into the house and reportedly caught the suspect before she could escape.
The incident triggered outrage in the community, with some youths allegedly attempting to lynch the suspect.
However, other residents reportedly intervened and insisted that the matter be handed over to the police.
“Some angry youths wanted to take the law into their own hands, but they were restrained. The police from the Aliade Division were alerted and arrived promptly to arrest the suspect before the situation escalated,” the source added.
The suspect is currently in police custody while investigations continue.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
The police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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