Breastfeeding Mother Hospitalised After Stepmother Allegedly Pours Boiling Water on Her
A breastfeeding mother, Zara Muhammad, is receiving treatment after she was allegedly attacked with boiling water by her stepmother in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Kofa area of the city following an argument between the two women.
A neighbour, who was also identified as Zara, said she heard the victim screaming and hurried to the house.
She alleged that she found the stepmother holding Zara down on the hot water that had spilled onto the floor.
“I rushed inside and saw her pressing Zara onto the hot water. I confronted her and struggled to pull her away,” the neighbour said.
By the time other residents intervened, the victim had reportedly sustained serious burns.
Neighbours said Zara had experienced difficulties at home after becoming pregnant and was allegedly abandoned by the father of her child.
They further claimed that her parents had wanted her to end the pregnancy, but she refused.
According to the residents, her situation became more difficult after she gave birth, with allegations that she was sometimes denied food and subjected to mistreatment during disagreements.
Zara, however, gave her own account of what led to the confrontation.
She said trouble began after her young daughter tried to enter her stepmother’s room.
According to her, the woman prevented the child from entering, and she stepped in to take her daughter away.
She said the disagreement continued for several days before her stepmother allegedly threatened to stop feeding her and the child.
“I told her that God would provide for me and my daughter. She then rushed towards me and pushed me onto the boiling water she had poured on the floor,” Zara recounted.
Witnesses also alleged that the injured woman did not receive sufficient medical care immediately after the incident.
Her father rejected claims that he neglected his daughter or attempted to protect his wife from the allegations.
“She was taken to the hospital,” he said.
The situation later came to the attention of Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuweira Gambo.
Following her intervention, a response team reportedly moved Zara to a medical facility, where she is now receiving treatment.
The stepmother was arrested and is currently being held by security authorities as investigations continue.
