A nursing mother, Endurance Samuel, was left with severe burns after a jealous wife, Esther Godwin, poured hot water on her over false allegations of having an affair with her husband.
The shocking incident happened in Olofin community of Idanre, Ondo State, where both women reside.
According to eyewitnesses, Esther, a 39-year-old food vendor, had invited Endurance to her shop under the pretext of giving her some palm oil that her husband, Sunday Godwin, owed her.
Endurance, who works as a tailor and a farm labourer, accepted the invitation without suspecting any foul play.
However, as soon as she arrived at the shop, Esther attacked her with hot water that she had prepared beforehand.
The scalding water caused Endurance to scream in pain and attract the attention of other residents, who rushed to her rescue and took her to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Endurance told reporters that she was shocked and confused by Esther’s action, as she had no romantic relationship with her husband.
She said: “She (Esther) called me from where I was learning tailoring to come and collect the palm oil her husband is owing me.
“I also work as a labourer for some farmers in the town. I rushed out of my oga’s shop excitedly to the place, not knowing that the call was just to lure me to her own shop where she was selling food, to pour hot water on me for the offence I did not commit.”
Sunday, who confirmed that he hired Endurance as a farm labourer, also denied having any affair with her.
He said he was surprised by his wife’s behaviour and had been paying for Endurance’s medical bills since the incident.
He said: “I don’t know what came over my wife. I have never cheated on her with anyone, let alone Endurance.
“She is just a worker that I pay for helping me on the farm. I don’t know why my wife would listen to rumours and act so rashly.”
The police spokesperson in the state, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said that Esther had been arrested and would be charged to court after investigation.
He warned people to desist from taking the law into their own hands and urged them to verify any information before acting on it.
