A newlywed wife has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command over the alleged poisoning of her husband, who died after consuming a meal prepared by her.

The incident occurred on January 23, 2026, at about 1700hrs at Gauza village in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Confirming the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the state capital, on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the deceased reportedly took his lunch at home before he suddenly fell seriously ill.

According to the police spokesperson, the man was rushed to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

Following the incident, detectives from the Jahun Division swung into action and arrested the wife of the deceased as the principal suspect.

SP Shi’isu Adam said that “during interrogation, the suspect confessed to poisoning her husband’s food with rat poison.”

He added that the “suspect claimed she sent her cousin to purchase the rat poison used in committing the act.”

According to the PPRO, the suspect reportedly stated that she was forced into the marriage by her parents, a situation she claimed led to her actions.

However, the police spokesperson said the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse.

He said upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution.

Meanwhile, the police command urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding and to seek lawful means of resolving family and marital disputes.

The statement further “advised against taking laws into one’s hands, noting that such actions often result in irreversible consequences.”

Accordingly, the police assured the public of the command’s commitment to justice and the protection of lives and property across the state.

“The police will ensure that justice is served in this case,” the PPRO said, adding that “the suspect is currently in police custody, awaiting trial.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered an illegal factory producing counterfeit Goya oil .

The agency has also dismantled a large syndicate involved in the production and distribution of fake alcoholic beverages in Lagos, warning that the activities pose serious threats to public health.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Mr Martins Iluyomade, said the discoveries were made during routine surveillance and enforcement operations conducted over the past few weeks.

According to him, NAFDAC operatives uncovered an illicit production site within the Oke-Arin Market area of Lagos, where fake Goya oil was being locally manufactured and packaged for sale.

“The genuine Goya oil is imported into Nigeria through a reputable company, and original products are still in circulation. However, we discovered that some individuals were faking the product and producing it within the market,” Iluyomade said.

He explained that the counterfeit oil was produced by burning palm oil and adding chlorine, using crude equipment such as stoves, before refilling and repackaging the mixture into empty containers.

Iluyomade warned Nigerians, particularly churches and prayer houses where the oil is commonly used, that original Goya oil is never packaged in plastic (PET) bottles.

“There is no original Goya oil in plastic bottles. The authentic product comes only in glass bottles. Anywhere you see it being sold in PET bottles, report it to the nearest NAFDAC office,” he cautioned.

He further expressed concern over the growing use of fake anointing oils in religious settings, describing the practice as dangerous.

“Some people even drink anointing oil. You are not drinking anointing oil; you are drinking poison,” he warned.

Iluyomade said NAFDAC’s enforcement strategy focuses on stopping production at the source rather than penalising unsuspecting traders.

“Once we stop production, whatever is already in circulation will naturally dry up. We do not want to compound the problem of market women and others who may not be aware. But for the producers, it is the end of the road,” he stated.

He appealed to religious organisations to cooperate with the agency to prevent the sale or use of the counterfeit product within their premises.

In a related development, Iluyomade revealed that NAFDAC also dismantled a major syndicate involved in the counterfeiting of alcoholic drinks in Lagos, describing the practice as widespread and highly lucrative for criminals.

“The faking of alcoholic drinks has become seriously endemic in Nigeria because it is one of the easiest products to counterfeit,” he said.

He disclosed that a suspect, identified as Mr Moses Nelson, was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos and has since been charged to court. According to him, a wide range of fake alcoholic brands were recovered from the suspect’s residence, with the syndicate operating a distribution network supplying major markets across Lagos.

NAFDAC has warned distributors and retailers against patronising unauthorised suppliers, reiterating its commitment to protecting public health and ridding the market of fake and substandard products.

Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.

According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.

They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.

The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.

Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.

(Zagazola)