A man in Kaduna is in critical condition after allegedly slaughtering four of his children and attempting to take his own life over a quarrel that occurred between him and his wife.
Witnesses said the man argued with his wife throughout the night which forced the woman to leave the house located at Ahmadu Bello street in Kawo area of Kaduna.
It was however difficult to determine the exact cause of the quarrel.
The middle-aged man reportedly locked the door of the house after his wife left and slaughtered his four children, aged between six and one, with a knife which he also used in harming himself.
The matter was reported to the ward head after one of his children, who was not at home at the time, tried to open the door but failed, the door having been locked from behind.
Policemen were contacted on Wednesday afternoon and they forced the door open in company of the man’s neighbours, to see the carnage that had been wrought.
While the man survived albeit in serious condition, the children were said to have lost their lives.
According to State Police Public Relations Officer, Zubairu Abubakar, the man and his children had been rushed to the St Gerards in Kakuri, Kaduna.
Abubakar said the command had already launched full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.