Affair Allegation Turns Fatal in Yobe as Police Arrest Man for Hacking Villager to Death

An allegation of an affair between a villager and a married woman has ended in a deadly act of violence in Yobe State, underscoring persistent concerns about the use of self-help in resolving personal disputes.

The Yobe State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 50-year-old man, Alhaji Hassan Umaru, for allegedly hacking a fellow villager, Sukari Abdul, 45, to death following suspicion that the victim was involved in an affair with his wife. The incident occurred on February 1, 2026, in Bundila Village, Gulani Local Government Area.

According to the police, the disagreement escalated at the village market square after Umaru confronted Abdul over the alleged affair. During the confrontation, the suspect reportedly attacked the victim with a cutlass, inflicting fatal injuries. Abdul was rushed to the Bularaba Primary Health Care Facility, where he was confirmed dead by a medical practitioner.

Police spokesperson SP Dungus Abdulkarim said the suspect was promptly apprehended, while the weapon allegedly used in the attack was recovered. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Reacting to the killing, Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ado warned residents against resorting to violence or taking the law into their hands, particularly in matters relating to marital disputes and social conflicts. He urged members of the public to seek lawful channels and report grievances to appropriate authorities.

The incident adds to growing concerns over communal violence linked to personal and domestic disputes across parts of northern Nigeria, raising questions about conflict resolution, social pressure, and access to justice at the grassroots level.