Yobe State Police Launch Intensified Search for Woman Accused of Stabbing Husband

Yobe State Police Launch Intensified Search for Woman Accused of Stabbing Husband

Authorities in northeastern Nigeria have intensified a manhunt for an 18‑year‑old woman identified as Khadija Jamilu after she allegedly stabbed her 25‑year‑old husband during a domestic dispute in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of February 6, 2026, has drawn significant local attention and renewed discussion about domestic violence and community safety in the region. 

According to an official statement issued by the Yobe State Police Command on Saturday, operatives from the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters responded to a distress call at approximately 3:00 pm on Friday, reporting that Jamilu had inflicted a serious wound on her husband with a knife during a heated dispute at their residence. The victim suffered a deep cut to his genital area, prompting immediate medical intervention. Police spokesperson SP Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed that the victim was first taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Potiskum for urgent care, then referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi State, where he is now receiving ongoing treatment.

The police have emphasised that efforts to locate and apprehend the suspect are in full force, with patrols and intelligence gathering ongoing across Potiskum and neighboring communities. Officers have appealed to residents and local leaders to provide any information that could assist in the investigation, stressing the importance of community collaboration in addressing violent crime. 

In public remarks accompanying the police release, Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ado underscored that marriage and family life should be anchored in respect, understanding, tolerance, and peaceful conflict resolution. He strongly discouraged violence as a means of resolving domestic issues, highlighting that disputes escalating to physical attacks can result in irreversible harm. Ado also urged couples to pursue counselling and involve trusted mediators such as family members, religious leaders, or community figures when disagreements intensify. 

The case has prompted broader reflections on domestic violence within the region. Civil rights advocates and community stakeholders note that incidents of this nature underscore deeper social challenges, including limited access to conflict resolution resources, traditional expectations surrounding marital roles, and the need for greater public awareness of legal protections and support services for individuals experiencing domestic strife. Nigeria, like many countries, lacks comprehensive systems for early intervention in domestic disputes, and experts argue that stronger preventative measures and social support frameworks are essential to mitigate such incidents.

Domestic violence remains a widely underreported and complex issue in Nigeria, with social stigma and familial pressures often deterring victims from seeking help. While comprehensive national statistics are limited, advocacy groups have called for enhanced legislative measures and community outreach programmes to address patterns of intimate partner violence and promote safe, non‑violent conflict management.

In the case under investigation, law enforcement officials have categorised the alleged stabbing as an aggravated assault, a serious offence under Nigerian criminal law. Pending her arrest, Jamilu is expected to be charged accordingly once detained. Police have reiterated that no one is above the law, and they reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring justice and upholding public safety for all residents in Yobe State. 

Local residents in Potiskum described the incident as shocking and unsettling. Neighbours recounted hearing raised voices and commotion at the couple’s home on the night of the incident, but few details were immediately clear until authorities were notified. Community leaders have echoed police calls for information and emphasised the collective responsibility to maintain peace and intervene constructively in domestic disputes before they escalate to violence.

This development comes against a backdrop of ongoing security and social challenges across northern Nigeria, where policing resources are often stretched due to broader security operations and other criminal matters. Authorities have been balancing responses to insurgency‑related violence, banditry, and inter‑communal conflict while striving to address everyday criminal incidents that affect ordinary citizens.

The Yobe State Police Command has pledged to provide further updates as the investigation evolves. In the interim, the public remains on alert, and efforts to locate the suspect are continuing around the clock. Law enforcement officials urge residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities in the interest of community safety.

📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews