An estranged wife, Bola Abdullahi, on Wednesday secured the custody of the two children of her failed marriage.

She told an Ilorin Area Court that her children, aged seven and two years, were being maltreated under the custody of her former husband's relatives.

The petitioner, a resident of Ilorin, claimed that her former husband, Mukaila Babatunde, was not taking proper care of the children.

Abdullahi, 28, informed the court that her marriage to the defendant was contracted in 2004 and dissolved in 2011.

"My former husband dumped my children in his family house where nobody, including their father, cared for their welfare," she stated.

She also told the court that her residence was not far from the defendant's family and could ascertain how they were faring.

"My first child comes to complain of hunger. This complaint prompted me to approach the court for the custody of the children.

"My Lord, I want the custody of my children because I cannot continue to see them suffering while I am alive," the plaintiff said.

The defendant, however, did not raise any objection to the prayer of the plaintiff.

He simply said: "She is free as long as she is ready to take care of the children."

The defendant prayed the court to order the plaintiff to allow him access to his children at his own convenience.

The presiding judge, Mr Ibrahim Abdulquadri, awarded the custody of the two children to the plaintiff and ordered her to allow the defendant free access to the children at any time. (NAN)