POTISKUM — A quiet neighborhood in Potiskum was plunged into a state of shock and disbelief on Monday as an 18-year-old housewife was arrested for allegedly mutilating her husband’s genitals during a domestic dispute.
The Yobe State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Halima Umar following the gruesome attack that has left her husband, whose name is being withheld for privacy, battling for his life in a specialist hospital. The incident, which reportedly took place in the early hours of Monday, February 9, 2026, has left the community grappling with the brutal nature of the assault.
A Midnight Dispute Turned Bloody
According to local sources, the couple had been heard engaging in a heated verbal altercation late into the night. Neighbors reported that the shouting eventually gave way to a harrowing scream, prompting a distress call to the local authorities.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered a horrific sight. The victim was found in a pool of blood, having suffered what medical professionals described as “life-altering” injuries. Police quickly apprehended Halima, who was still at the residence, while the victim was rushed into emergency surgery.
‘Grievous Bodily Harm’
The Public Relations Officer for the Yobe State Police Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the details on Tuesday morning. “We have the suspect in custody, and a full investigation is underway to determine the exact motive behind such a violent act,” Abdulkarim stated.
While the suspect is reportedly cooperating with detectives, the trauma of the event has cast a long shadow over the town. Medical experts at the specialist facility in Potiskum have indicated that while the victim’s condition has stabilized, the physical and psychological damage is severe.
A Mirror of National Frustration?
The incident has triggered a wider conversation on social media about the rising tide of domestic violence and mental health strain in a country currently pushed to its economic limits.
- The Stress of Survival: With petrol prices nearing ₦1,000 per litre and a ₦152 trillion national debt weighing on every household, community leaders suggest that “economic suffocation” is manifesting in increasingly violent domestic outbursts.
- The Call for Reform: Activists have noted that while the political class reconciles in the luxury of the Presidential Villa, the “common man” is left without the social safety nets or counseling services needed to manage such volatility.
Legal Consequences Loom
The Yobe State Ministry of Justice is expected to take over the case once the police conclude their forensic gathering. Halima is likely to face charges ranging from grievous bodily harm to attempted culpable homicide.
As the victim begins a long road to recovery, the Potiskum community remains on edge, with many calling for a return to traditional mediation and a de-escalation of the “anger” that seems to be permeating every level of Nigerian society.
