A 23-year-old hotel worker in Kano, Victoria Emmanuel, is battling severe burns after she was allegedly attacked with boiling water inside a residence in Kawo on November 10, 2025, sparking outrage and calls for justice.
Victoria had reportedly closed from work and was accompanied by her colleague, 28-year-old Shadrach Michael, to pick up items for her upcoming birthday celebration. Shadrach suggested they stop by his apartment before heading to the market — a detour that turned into a nightmare.
According to Victoria’s sister, Rosemary Emmanuel, trouble started when Shadrach’s girlfriend, 25-year-old Chioma Michael, called to say she was coming over. Although Shadrach discouraged her visit, Chioma arrived minutes later and found Victoria in the apartment.
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Rosemary narrated that Chioma claimed she wanted to take a warm bath and began boiling water. When the gas finished, she borrowed more from a neighbour and continued heating it. Moments later, she allegedly lifted the pot and poured the scalding water on Victoria’s face, back, chest, and hands.
Shocked by the attack, Shadrach reportedly struck Chioma in anger as she fled the apartment — taking Victoria’s phone with her. Rosemary alleged that Victoria was locked inside the house without medical help for nearly five hours, from about 3 p.m. until just before 8 p.m.
Concerned after several failed attempts to reach her sister, Rosemary said Victoria eventually managed to call the family from Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, where she had been rushed after sustaining severe burns.
At the hospital, Rosemary, her mother, and elder brother met both Shadrach and Chioma’s parents. She said the family denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Victoria had accidentally spilled hot water on herself while cooking. With the attending doctor unavailable, Victoria was later transferred to a clinic in Nomansland for treatment.
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The case was reported at the Hotoro Police Division around midnight on the same day. Police arrested Chioma’s mother to compel her daughter’s appearance, and Chioma eventually turned herself in on Wednesday. The matter has since been transferred to the Bompai Police Headquarters for further investigation.
Rosemary said the family is yet to decide on legal action, noting that Chioma has shown “no remorse” since the incident. She also clarified that Victoria and Shadrach were not close friends, countering claims that may have fuelled tension.
Victoria is currently receiving treatment and is said to be responding well.
When contacted, the Kano State Police Command spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said he would verify the case and follow up, but had not responded at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, a Magistrate Court sitting in Kawaji, Dakata, Kano, on Monday remanded Chioma Michael (25), at the Goron Dutse Correctional Centre until 9th December, 2025, for bathing Victoria Emmanuel (23) with hot water over a man.
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The incident occurred on the 10th November, 2025, when the suspect visited her boyfriend, Shadrach Michael, met the victim and suspected infidelity. She would later be arraigned amid public outcry.
At the hearing, Chioma and the Victim’s sister, Rosemary Emmanuel, gave their accounts, after which counsel to the defendant, Barister Chris Njogwu, prayed the court to grant his client bail.
Ruling, however, Barister Zuhura Madaki, the Magistrate charged the defendant with an attempt to commit culpable homicide under section 229 of the penal code, punishable with imprisonment for life and, in some circumstances, with death.
Madaki also pointed out that the absence of the hospitalised victim (Victoria) in court hindered direct assessment of the nature of the hurt caused.
The magistrate, citing constitutional provisions, noted that suspects charged or arrested for an offence punishable with death shall not be released on bail except by the judge of a high court under exceptional circumstances.
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She added that since the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain offences of possible culpable homicide contrary to section 229, she declined to exercise her discretion to grant bail to the defendant.
The bail application was thereby refused, and Chioma was ordered to be remanded at the Goron Dutse Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the legal advice.
Barister Madaki further adjourned the case to 9th December, 2025, for further mention.