The Lagos State Police Command has detained a man named Sunday for allegedly assaulting his wife, Habibat Bakare, to death in the Ipaja area of the state.
Speaking on the matter, Habibat’s brother, Lookman Bakare, explained during a phone interview that the tragic event occurred early on Saturday morning. According to him, Habibat had endured multiple instances of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, which eventually led to her untimely death.
Lookman recalled seeing the couple early that morning while he was waiting at a bus stop. He noticed them riding past on a motorcycle, with Habibat lying on Sunday’s back in a concerning manner.
“At around 5:15 a.m., I was waiting for a friend when I saw them on a motorcycle. About an hour later, I received a call that my sister was dead,” Lookman recounted. “When I arrived at the scene, I found her lifeless body. I asked Sunday if he hadn’t passed me earlier that morning, and he admitted it. However, he couldn’t explain why her clothing had changed during that short period. Those who transported her to the mortuary also noticed bruises on her leg.”
Another family member, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Sunday attempted to abandon Habibat’s body with her relatives before being apprehended. The family member revealed that the deceased, a mother of two, had been subjected to repeated abuse in the past.
“He tried to leave her body with the family, but he was stopped and handed over to the police. She had suffered physical abuse from him multiple times before this fatal incident,” the relative stated.
Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the arrest and said the investigation had been handed over to the homicide division of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, another case of domestic violence in Lagos resulted in the death of a woman named Patience. Her husband, Emmanuel Okpara, allegedly assaulted her after a dispute in Agege, causing internal injuries. Her son discovered her in an unconscious state the next morning and rushed her to the hospital, but she did not survive.
These tragic incidents highlight the persistent issue of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. Investigations into both cases are ongoing to ensure justice for the victims.
