Heartbreak in Okene As Family Mourns Man Allegedly Poisoned by Wife Over Second Marriage in Kogi State.

 The quiet town of Okene in Kogi State has been plunged into deep sorrow and anger following the sudden death of a local man, Abdul Kadir Nagazi (also known as Momo Jimoh Jamiu), who was reportedly poisoned by his first wife after he welcomed a child with his new second wife. The tragic incident, which unfolded over the weekend just before the end of 2025, has left family members devastated and the community demanding justice.

Abdul Kadir, a resident of the Nagazi area in Adavi Local Government, had been married to his first wife, Favour Odoba, for nine long years. Like many couples facing similar challenges, they struggled with childlessness, a situation that often brings emotional strain in Nigerian families where children are seen as a blessing and a key part of marital fulfillment. Determined to build a family, Abdul decided to take a second wife earlier this year—a common practice in some Muslim communities in northern and central Nigeria, including the Ebira people who dominate Okene.

The decision paid off when the second wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy just last month, bringing immense joy to Abdul and his extended family. Celebrations were still fresh when tragedy struck. According to accounts from relatives and locals, Favour invited her husband to spend the night with her on Saturday, perhaps in an attempt to maintain harmony or fulfill marital duties. What was meant to be a normal evening turned deadly.

By morning, Abdul was in severe distress and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors, after examinations and tests, reportedly confirmed signs of poisoning—traces found in his system from both food he had eaten and possibly an injection. Despite emergency efforts, he passed away, leaving behind a newborn son, grieving relatives, and a community in shock.

Favour Odoba, said to be the daughter of a retired police officer, has since vanished, with reports indicating she is on the run. Police in Kogi State have launched an investigation, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case highlights the ongoing work of law enforcement in handling domestic disputes that escalate into serious crimes.

The pain felt by the family was raw and public when Engineer Abdulrazak Abdulrazeez, a cousin of the deceased, took to social media to express his grief. Posting a video from the funeral held on Monday, where mourners gathered in traditional Ebira attire to bid farewell according to Islamic rites, Abdulrazeez didn't hold back his emotions.

He revealed that Abdul had invested heavily in his first wife's future, spending over two million naira to set up a large shop for her—a significant gesture of love and support in a place where business empowerment is a common way husbands provide for their spouses. "This was a man who did everything to make her comfortable," one family source shared anonymously, echoing the betrayal felt by many.

In his heartfelt post, Abdulrazeez addressed Favour directly, calling her actions unimaginable and warning that justice would catch up. "You can run, but you can never hide," he wrote, adding strong words about how lucky her father was that he wasn't around when visitors went to her family home. The post quickly went viral in local circles, amplifying calls for her arrest.

But Abdulrazeez's message went further, offering advice to young men based on his cousin's experience. He cautioned against marrying women from certain backgrounds who, in his view, engage in relationships too early in life, suggesting it could lead to complications later in marriage. While his words stemmed from raw pain, they have sparked mixed reactions online—some agreeing from personal experiences, others criticizing it as unfair generalization against Ebira women, a proud ethnic group known for their resilience, hard work, and rich cultural heritage in Kogi Central.

Okene itself is a bustling hub in Ebiraland, famous for its ironworks, vibrant markets, and the magnificent palace of the Ohinoyi, often described as one of West Africa's most beautiful traditional seats. The town, part of the mineral-rich Ajaokuta-Okene axis, is home to warm, community-oriented people who value family ties deeply. Incidents like this shake that foundation, reminding everyone of how personal disputes can spiral into irreversible loss.

Polygamy, while culturally accepted in parts of Nigeria, isn't without its challenges. Jealousy, resource sharing, and emotional dynamics can strain relationships, sometimes leading to conflicts. Experts on family matters often advise open communication, counseling, and mutual respect to navigate such setups successfully. In this case, what started as a hopeful step toward parenthood ended in alleged malice, raising questions about unresolved resentments over the years of childlessness.

As the newborn boy grows without his father, the second wife now faces the daunting task of raising him alone, supported hopefully by the extended family. Funerals in Ebira tradition are solemn affairs, with prayers, communal mourning, and burial rites that bring people together. The scenes from Abdul Kadir's burial showed hundreds gathered, men in caps and flowing gowns, women wrapped in colorful headscarves, all united in grief.

Police spokesperson in Kogi, William Aya, has confirmed that investigations are underway, with efforts intensified to locate the suspect. Domestic poisoning cases, though not everyday occurrences, do happen across Nigeria, often tied to marital discord, inheritance disputes, or extramarital affairs. This one stands out for its timing—just as new life entered the family.

For the Nagazi family, closure will only come with answers and accountability. Friends and neighbors remember Abdul as a kind, hardworking man who deserved better. His story is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of addressing marital issues early, perhaps through elders, religious leaders, or professional help.

In a broader sense, this tragedy touches on deeper societal conversations: the pressures around fertility, the realities of polygamous homes, and the need for stronger support systems for couples facing infertility. Many hope that as 2026 approaches, justice will prevail, and lessons learned will prevent similar heartbreaks.

The community waits anxiously for updates, praying for peace for the departed and strength for those left behind. In Okene, life goes on in the markets and mosques, but the shadow of this loss lingers, a stark warning that love, when twisted by bitterness, can turn deadly.