What was meant to be the beginning of a lifelong union ended in devastating tragedy in Jibia, Katsina State, as a newlywed man was found dead in his home barely three days after celebrating his wedding.
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested Zainab Muhammad, who is being investigated for allegedly stabbing her husband, Abubakar Abdulkarim, popularly known as Dan Gaske, to death in their residence at Tashar Buja quarters, Jibia Local Government Area.
The couple, who tied the knot on Thursday, November 18, 2025, had reportedly shown no signs of discord before the shocking incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon, November 23.
Relatives and neighbours say the groom had spent the morning in high spirits with family members, discussing plans for a scheduled family visit later in the evening.
According to a family member, Aminu Danladi, Abdulkarim later returned home to prepare for the engagement, unaware that it would be his final moments.
Residents alleged that the victim was attacked while sleeping, sustaining a deep knife wound to the neck that proved fatal.
Hours later, concern was raised when the wife reportedly appeared at a neighbour’s residence asking for food, behaving in a manner described as confused and unusual.
Suspicious of her demeanour, elderly women in the neighbourhood followed her back to the house, where they were met with a horrifying sight — the lifeless body of the young groom lying in a pool of blood. Security operatives were immediately alerted.
Contrary to rumours within the community, the victim’s relative insisted that the marriage was not forced, stating that the couple had maintained a cordial relationship before and during their brief union.
Further findings revealed that Zainab, said to be in her 20s and a native of Katsina metropolis, was introduced to the groom through his nephew, who was her former schoolmate at Government Girls Secondary School, Jibia.
It was also alleged that she had been previously married and divorced — a detail the groom’s family claimed they were unaware of.
Police sources disclosed that the incident likely occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
A report was officially lodged at the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters around 1:30 p.m., prompting detectives to rush to the scene.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, stated that the victim was found lying motionless with a severe cut on his neck and was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“One person is currently in custody in connection with the offence, as investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Bello Shehu, assured residents that the command is committed to a thorough and transparent investigation, urging members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with the police.
As the community struggles to come to terms with the loss, the tragic incident has cast a shadow over what began as a celebration of love, leaving family members and neighbours grieving a life cut short and a wedding that ended in sorrow instead of joy.
