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| Biliki (L) and Muyibat (R) |
Two housewives, identified only as Muyibat and Biliki, have suffered severe burns after a fight over a man.
PUNCH Metro 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.
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.
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.
Our
correspondent 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.
correspondent 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 told PUNCH Metro 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).”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Source: Punch Newspapers
