Two
housewives, identified only as Muyibat and Biliki, have suffered severe burns
after a fight over a man.
It was learnt that the two women emptied a kettle
of hot water on each other during the brawl which occurred at their residence
in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
Biliki,
who was living with her husband in the Surulere area of the state, relocated to
her parents’ house in Abule Oja, Yaba, in 2015, after separating from the
husband.
Muyibat
lives with her husband and three children in the house.
Our
correspondent was told that 32-year-old Biliki accused Muyibat, 29, of marrying
her former boyfriend, which caused bad blood between them.
Matters,
however, came to a head after a disagreement on Saturday when the duo poured
hot water on each other.
They
were both admitted to a general hospital in the state.
It
was gathered that the case was reported at the Sabo Police Division and one of
the parties petitioned the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, which
mediated in the matter.
Muyibat
said that their problem started after Biliki accused her of marrying her
(Biliki’s) boyfriend.
She
said, “Biliki told neighbours that she once dated my husband and that she aborted
for him during their relationship.
“She
calls me Iyawo Sara (free
wife). I have never known peace in that house. She fights me over every
minor issue.
“On
Saturday, I went to the market with my husband and when we got home, my child
started crying.
“Biliki’s
younger brother, Ahmed, came out and shouted at him and I cautioned him.
“His
sister then picked up a quarrel with me and started raining curses on me. I did
not talk because I was observing a fast. While she was abusing me, I sneezed
and said, ‘Ausubillahi
minashaitani rojeem’ (God, deliver me from the devil).”
Muyibat
said Biliki, who is also a Muslim, thought she was referring to her and queried
her for calling her a devil.
She
alleged that Biliki attacked her in the process.
“I
removed the water I was boiling for my vegetables and put it on the table. She
(Biliki) held my head from behind and poured the hot water on me.
“Her
younger brother slammed a plastic paint on my head, while she drew my hair.
Both of them assaulted me,” Muyibat added.
The
Kwara State indigene said she was rushed to a private hospital where she was
rejected, adding that she later went to the Sabo Police Station to report the
case.
Muyibat,
who claimed to have passed out on the way to the general hospital, said Biliki
had earlier in May threatened to pour acid on her.
However,
Biliki, who suffered burns on her breasts, chest and hand, denied the
allegations, saying her neighbour was the first to attack her.
She
denied ever dating Muyibat’s husband, saying Muyibat was fond of making trouble
with her and efforts to reconcile them had always been rebuffed by her.
She
said, “I went back to my parents’ house when I had issues with my husband.
Because of that, many of the tenants started ridiculing me.
“I
was ill that Saturday and was sleeping beside my baby. Her child had come to
play with my baby when she called him back. When the child didn’t heed her
call, she hit him and the child started crying.
“Another
child passing through the passageway was also crying that partcular time. My
younger brother asked the other boy to stop crying and Muyibat abused my
brother.
“My
brother reported her to me and I told him not to reply her. She then started
insulting me. We fought and our neighbours came to separate us.
“I
was backing her when somebody suddenly shouted, ‘hot water!’ As I turned back
with my hands raised, she emptied a kettle of hot water on me. Because my hand
was raised when she attacked me, a little of the water splashed on her.”
Biliki
said Muyibat also bit her brother while the latter came to separate them,
adding that her two phones were smashed by Muyibat.
The
Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Olubukola
Salami, described the incident as horrific.
She
said, “This horrific incident was totally avoidable as either of the parties
could have just walked away and lodge a formal complaint at the nearest police
station. But they decided to take the law into their hands and the result was
unfortunate.
“Domestic
violence has repercussions and it’s totally unacceptable anywhere. The Lagos
State Government will deal harshly with those who disturb public peace.”
The
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the
incident.
She
added that the victims were both given medical papers for treatment, but they
had yet to report back to the station.
Tags
Society