A lady identified as Madam Stella drowned her six-year-old daughter, Rachael, in a fit of wrath on Monday in the Ukubie town in Bayelsa State’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Rachael allegedly disregarded her mother’s numerous cautions against taking a swim in the river, which led to the occurrence that has shocked the locals.
The child had gone to the waterfront, according to witnesses, when her mother saw her and told her to leave, but she refused.
“Despite warnings to leave the water, Rachael refused, prompting her mother to become enraged,” an eyewitness recounted.
Stella allegedly killed her daughter by holding her hands and throwing her into the river twice in a fit of rage.
“I regret my actions. I never knew it would happen this way,” she pleaded, seeking forgiveness from the community.
A family member, Jeph Nation, expressed his devastation over the incident, saying, “I have recorded two deaths already in my paternal family at Ukubie this year. All were painful and heart-touching, but this one was so pathetic.”
Videos circulating on social media show Stella surrounded by a crowd, confessing in the Ijaw language. Another video captures her sitting in a boat beside her daughter’s lifeless body as it is transported away.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the matter had not been officially reported to the police.
“The matter has not been formally reported to the police,” Mohammed stated.
