A 23-year-old hotel worker, Victoria Emmanuel, has been hospitalised after being attacked with hot water at a residence in Kawo, Kano, on November 10.
Victoria had reportedly closed from work and was accompanied by her male colleague, 28-year-old Shadrach Michael, to the market to buy items for her upcoming birthday celebration.
Shadrach told her they would stop by his house to pick up a few things before heading to the market.
His girlfriend, 25-year-old Chioma Michael, called to say she was coming over.
Despite Shadrach discouraging her from coming, Chioma arrived minutes later and met Victoria in the apartment.
According to Victoria’s sister, Rosemary Emmanuel, Chioma claimed she wanted to take a warm bath and proceeded to boil water.
She ran out of gas, borrowed some from a neighbour, and continued boiling the water.
Rosemary alleged that after heating it, Chioma lifted the pot and poured the hot water on Victoria’s face, back, chest, and hands.
Shocked by the attack, Shadrach reportedly hit Chioma, who fled the scene with Victoria’s phone.
Rosemary further alleged that Victoria was locked inside the apartment without medical attention from around 3 p.m. until shortly before 8 p.m.
Rosemary said she became worried when she couldn’t reach her sister.
Victoria later managed to call, weakly informing her family that she was at Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa LGA, Kano, after being scalded.
Rosemary, her mother, and elder brother rushed to the hospital, where they met Shadrach and Chioma’s parents.
She said the family denied the assault, claiming Victoria accidentally spilled hot water on herself while cooking.
Due to the attending doctor's unavailability, Victoria was transferred to a clinic in Nomansland.
The incident was reported at the Hotoro Police Division around midnight on 10 November.
Chioma’s mother was arrested to compel her daughter’s appearance, and Chioma later turned herself in on Wednesday.
The case has since been transferred to the Bompai Police Headquarters.
Rosemary said the family has not yet decided whether to pursue legal action, noting that she cannot personally speak on the next steps.
She added that Victoria and Shadrach were not close friends, and that Chioma showed no remorse for her actions.
Victoria is currently receiving treatment and is responding well.
The police were yet to comment on the matter as of press time.
