A 25-year-old woman, Erdoo Ugede, has been arrested for allegedly killing the two-month-old son of her husband’s alleged mistress in Ankyoov, Ikyogbaji Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to community sources, the incident occurred after the suspect allegedly invited the child’s mother and her baby to live in her matrimonial home despite being aware that the infant was fathered by her husband.
Residents said Ugede, who reportedly has no children of her own, persuaded the woman and the child to move into the family home, a decision that initially raised no suspicion among neighbours or relatives.
A community source alleged that on the day of the incident, the child’s mother briefly went to a nearby market, leaving the two-month-old in the care of the suspect.
The source further claimed that while the mother was away, Ugede allegedly struck the infant with an object, inflicting fatal injuries. The baby’s cries reportedly attracted neighbours, who rushed to the house and prevented the suspect from escaping.
The incident triggered outrage within the community, with some youths allegedly attempting to attack the suspect before other residents intervened and alerted the police.
Officers from the Aliade Police Division reportedly arrived at the scene and took the suspect into custody.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
