Shock in Enugu as Mother Stabs Two Children to Death, Cites Family Frustration

A wave of shock and mourning has gripped the Enugu East community following a tragic incident in which a mother allegedly stabbed two of her children to death, citing frustration and emotional breakdown as the cause.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 21, at a residence located along Unity Road near the Abakpa Timber Market.

The suspect, identified as Chidima Arinze, a mother of three, was said to have killed her infant son and her young daughter during what neighbors described as an otherwise quiet morning.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the woman, believed to be in her mid-thirties, waited until her husband left for work before launching the attack on her children. According to reports, she first stabbed her infant son—believed to be only four months old—then turned on her daughter, inflicting a fatal stab wound to the chest.

The eldest child reportedly escaped from the house and raised an alarm, prompting neighbors to rush to the scene. However, before help could arrive, the two younger children had already succumbed to their injuries. The suspect later called her sister and the police, who arrived promptly and arrested her without resistance.

The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the incident and stated that preliminary investigations had begun. The remains of the children were evacuated to the mortuary at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

Police officers also conducted a forensic assessment of the crime scene before transferring the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further handling.

While an official motive has yet to be confirmed by investigators, preliminary accounts suggest that the woman had been experiencing intense emotional and psychological distress.

According to neighbors, she had previously complained about being overwhelmed by the demands of raising three children while her husband was often away from home.

Community members have been left in deep shock over the tragedy, with many calling for increased attention to the mental health of mothers, especially in households experiencing economic hardship or social isolation.

Some residents noted that the signs of stress might have been overlooked and that with proper intervention, the tragedy could possibly have been averted.

The suspect remains in police custody as the investigation continues, with the authorities expected to bring formal charges once the probe is completed.

The case has reignited national conversations around mental health, domestic responsibility, and the pressures facing women in underserved and overstressed households.