OBI, Nigeria — Police in Nasarawa State are investigating the suspected food poisoning deaths of a woman and her two children, discovered a day after her estranged husband visited her home to plead for reconciliation.
The incident occurred in Obi Local Government Area and was reported on Sunday morning by Yusuf Mohammed Ogah of Mararaba Obi, who found the bodies at about 10:57 a.m. on August 10, 2025.
Detectives arrived to find Mrs. Martha Yusuf, 50; her daughter, Miss Hannatu Yusuf; and her son, Meshach Yusuf, lying motionless inside their residence. Police recovered remnants of food allegedly consumed by the victims as evidence.
According to security sources, the three were confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Obi. Their bodies were transferred to the hospital mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators said the victims had been separated from Martha Yusuf’s former husband, Yusuf Iliya, for about three years. He allegedly visited the house on Saturday to seek reconciliation.
Police confirmed Iliya’s arrest, stating that he denied poisoning the food but admitted visiting the victims the day before their deaths. The case remains under active investigation.
