A 17-year-old boy, identified only as Malik, has allegedly stabbed his mother's co-wife, Falilat Yusuf, to death in Gaa Akanbi area of Ilorin, Kwara State's capital.

The incident occurred shortly after congregational Friday prayers, according to neighbours. A local who requested anonymity stated: "A woman was stabbed to death in her house. I'm unsure of the exact time, but it was around 2:00 p.m. when I heard screaming and people rushing to the scene. The victim, known as Iya Ganiyat, was stabbed multiple times on the neck by a young man - the son of her husband's other wife."

Malik was arrested and taken to a police station for questioning. The victim's husband, Alhaji Gani, is reportedly cooperating with investigations.

When Daily Trust visited the scene of the crime on Sunday, residents said Malik, whose mother is said to be the intended second wife of the deceased woman's husband, had lived in the same neighbourhood, though in a different house also rented by their mutual husband.

Teslim, one of the sons of the deceased, said Malik had been warned not to visit their home due to recurring incidents of theft. He said he encountered him outside their compound on the day of the incident, making suspicious hand gestures.

"The moment our eyes met, he ran away. When I entered the house, I found my mother in a pool of blood. I raised an alarm that attracted the neighbours and family members.

"Malik returned shortly after, having changed his clothes. Traces of blood were found on his shoes before he was apprehended and handed over to the police."

Another neighbour, Mrs Omotayo, said the late Falilat Yusuf, who sold potatoes, had earlier abandoned her shop following threats and rising tension.

The deceased has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, did not confirm or deny the incident but requested for a message.

She was yet to respond to the text message sent to her as at the time of filing this report.