From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Three children are currently battling for their lives at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) following injuries they sustained when their step mother poured hot water on them.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred in at Gibiya Street by New Market Road area in Jos metropolis when the first wife (name withheld) now on the run, stealthily entered the room where the children were sleeping and emptied the contents from her boiling pot on them.
It was gathered that the culprit immediately bolted away from the scene before the cries of the children could attract the attention of those living within the city.
A close relative of the husband, Ahmed Ibrahim, told newsmen that the woman had been threatening to deal with the second wife before she carried out the dastardly act.
“The incident happened this morning at Gibiya Street by New Market Road, Jos. A man by the name of Garba has two wives. The first one has no child, while the second one has three children with the man.
“The first wife was possessed with envy and hatred. In the early hours of Monday, while the children were still sleeping, she sneaked into where they slept and poured hot water on them.
“Before those within the vicinity could come to their rescue, she disappeared, and up to this hour, she has not been seen while the children have been taking them to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, for treatment.”
Ibrahim disclosed that the husband identified as Abubakar has been arrested by the police for interrogation on how his first wife could be located, while the relatives of the second wife are mounting pressure on the husband to produce his first wife.
Spokesman of Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, said the command has no report of such an incident.
He however promised to investigate and report back, but was yet to do as at the time of writing this report.