Murtala Sogbade, brother of Ganiyat, a mother of three allegedly killed by her husband, Ayoola Ayanwale, described the suspect as a chronic abuser who neglected his family and indulged in substance abuse.
The tragic incident occurred Thursday night at Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, in the Ogun State area of Ojodu Berger. Ganiyat sustained multiple stab wounds and was rushed to Gifted Hospital in Olowora, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Reports indicate that after stabbing his wife multiple times during a domestic dispute, Ayanwale allegedly ingested a poisonous substance in an apparent suicide attempt. Hours later, he was found struggling to breathe in an open field in Sotubo and later died. Authorities recovered three knives, a bottle containing a suspected toxic substance, two mobile phones, a voter’s card, and an ATM card from the scene.
Speaking with PUNCH via WhatsApp and telephone, Sogbade revealed that the marriage had been troubled for years.
“My sister had been married to this man for 14 years. Their relationship had constant conflicts, which sometimes escalated to physical assaults,” he said. “We intervened several times, even holding family meetings to resolve issues. Late last year, the husband said he wanted a divorce. We advised him to follow legal channels, as they were legally married.”
Sogbade added that his sister had also expressed her desire to end the marriage but had refrained from filing for divorce, partly due to concern for public perception.
He also claimed that the husband’s family, living abroad, offered Ganiyat N700,000 to secure a place for herself and her children. “There is no apartment in Lagos suitable for a woman and three children at that price. He should have provided for his children,” he said.
The fatal attack was reportedly triggered by jealousy and resentment, compounded by the husband’s failure to provide for the family. “He spent his time smoking weed and neglected the household. That was the only thing he knew how to do,” Sogbade said.
A neighbour, identified as @Irebamiolakanmi on X, corroborated the history of abuse, saying the violence escalated after Ganiyat refused to eat food prepared by her husband. “He stabbed her five times and fled. He would return home only once or twice a year, paying no attention to the children’s needs. She told me she was happiest when he wasn’t around,” she said.
The Ogun State Police confirmed the case and stated that it has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The bodies have been deposited at the mortuary.
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of domestic-related femicides in Ogun State. In 2022, a man allegedly killed his wife, Bukola Omotosho, following a domestic dispute, highlighting the ongoing risk of intimate partner violence in the region.
