Murder or suicide? Abuja man’s family points at wife

The death of Mr. Ibrahim Abutu, a former staff of NNPC on Wednesday continues to generate controversy among his relatives and that of his wife and even friends. Abutu, an indigene of Benue State, got married to a second wife a week ago. Abutu’s first wife, Hadiza, while narrating to the police, said she was […]

The death of Mr. Ibrahim Abutu, a former staff of NNPC on Wednesday continues to generate controversy among his relatives and that of his wife and even friends. Abutu, an indigene of Benue State, got married to a second wife a week ago. Abutu’s first wife, Hadiza, while narrating to the police, said she was in the kitchen when she heard a gunshot and rushed to find her husband bloodied. She said she shouted for help and some neighbors came to assist in rushing him to the National Hospital, where he died while doctors were trying to resuscitate him.

But Abutu’s relatives believe it’s not true that he shot himself, as his wife’s account suggests, so they reported it to the police, claiming that Hadiza shot her husband dead. Ahmed, the deceased’s cousin told Weekly Trust that she has always been a problem. “On several occasions she has even threatened him over one issue or the other,” he said.

Habeeba Ahmadu Ali, late Abutu’s second wife, couldn’t control her tears when she spoke to Weekly Trust over the phone. “Ibrahim was the best thing any woman could wish for. I have known him since 2008 and we have a ten-month-old daughter. We just conducted our wedding fatiha last week. I cannot believe he committed suicide.”

Habeeba says her husband would always tell her that Hadiza threatens to kill him at the drop of a hat. “That made him careful when he was around me, as he wouldn’t want any harm to come my way or that of our daughter. I feel my life and that of my child are no longer safe.”

Weekly Trust visited the Wuse II residence of the Abutus and found it practically deserted occupants were said to have been evacuated by family members of the deceased as the wife remained in police custody. Neighbors said the late Ibrahim was an easy-going man and it came as a shock when they learned that he shot himself. But they spoke of domestic arguments being overheard. “We do overhear some quarrels from time to time but he was always cheerful,” one neighbor said.

Abutu’s long-time friend and former colleague at NNPC, Saidu Ahmed, said although his late friend always complained of his wife putting pressure on him, they seemed to always sort things out. He also said she was prone to violent fits, even tossing a vase at her husband, hitting him on the face.

Ahmed told Weekly Trust: “We last saw each other on Saturday in Kaduna when we attended a wedding. He told me to wait and accompany him somewhere. It was later he told me it was his own wedding that he wanted me to attend. I even paid the bride price on his behalf.”

When contacted, Hadiza’s family refused to comment, a relative angrily asking: “Who invited the press here?”

The Utako Police Station, where the case was reported, for two days after the incident would see small crowds gathered outside, comprising of late Abutu’s and Hadiza’s relatives. The Divisional Police Officer, Chief Superintendent Usman Umar said Hadiza’s family feel that she is going through a mourning period and shouldn’t be made to go through all the stress the in-laws are putting her in with their accusations of murder. “But we were able to calm both parties down. We have started our investigations and we have also involved the Command CID because there is a need for forensic investigation.”

Umar said Hadiza was asked if there was any problem between herself and her husband, and she said no. “She did mention that she was aware her husband owned a gun,” she said. She remains in police custody till investigations are concluded. “With so many allegations and counter-allegations, she ought to be protected for her own safety and the tense situation on ground,” he said.

Did Abutu take his own life or was he shot by a known face as suspected by many? This is one question only the Police can unravel.