Tragedy has struck the Ukubie community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as a woman, identified as Madam Stella, drowned her six-year-old daughter, Rachael, in a fit of rage.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred after Rachael repeatedly ignored her mother’s warnings against bathing in the river. Reports indicate that the young girl was at the waterfront when her mother found her and ordered her to leave, but she refused.
Overcome with anger, Stella allegedly grabbed her daughter’s hands and threw her into the river twice, resulting in the child’s death.
Shocked community members confronted Stella, who reportedly admitted to the act, claiming she had not intended for it to end in tragedy. “I regret my actions. I never knew it would happen this way,” she pleaded, seeking forgiveness.
A relative, Jeph Nation, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that it was the third loss in his paternal family this year. “All were painful, but this one is especially heartbreaking,” he said.
Videos circulating on social media show Stella confessing in the Ijaw language while surrounded by a crowd. Another clip captures her sitting in a boat next to her daughter’s lifeless body as it is transported away.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, stated that the case had not yet been formally reported to the authorities.