The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Maryam Usman, for allegedly setting her co-wife’s room ablaze in Mangwarori Quarters, Mariri area of Kano, leaving four persons with serious burn injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who signed a statement on Wednesday, said the incident occurred in the early hours of May 12, 2026, when the Command received a distress call at about 12:40 a.m.
He explained that the suspect allegedly set fire to a room occupied by her co-wife, Firdausi Saminu, 40.
According to the statement, four victims, including the co-wife and her two children aged three and five, as well as their husband, Saminu Miko, sustained varying degrees of burns as a result of the fire.
“They were immediately evacuated to the hospital for urgent medical attention,” the police spokesman said, noting that the victims are currently receiving treatment at Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital in Kano.
The Command added that its patrol teams responded swiftly to the scene, leading to the arrest of the suspect at the location.
Read Also:How police secured forfeiture order in N8.5b fraud case
He further disclosed that exhibits linked to the incident had been recovered, while an investigation into the matter has commenced.
The police said the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bompai for a discreet and thorough investigation, with a view to prosecuting the suspect for mischief by fire and attempted culpable homicide.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, condemned the act, describing it as “criminal, inhuman and unacceptable under any circumstance.”
He directed that the investigation be handled professionally and expeditiously to ensure justice for the victims, while also wishing them a speedy recovery.
The Commissioner assured that the Command would provide the victims with necessary protection and support throughout the legal process.
Read Also:Why we deployed personnel to ACF headquarters in Kaduna-Police
The police also urged members of the public to resolve domestic disputes peacefully through dialogue and appropriate community mechanisms, warning that violence and arson remain punishable offences under the law.
Residents were further encouraged to report early signs of domestic conflict to security agencies or community leaders to prevent escalation, and to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to report suspicious activities or threats through its emergency lines.
