A man has been taken into custody after allegedly beating his pregnant wife to death in the Limawa area of Minna, the Niger State capital.

Residents said the incident occurred late Tuesday night when neighbours attracted by screaming from the couple’s apartment found the woman unresponsive and later confirmed dead. Her identity has not been officially released.

They said the suspect, who is now in police custody, has a history of abusive behaviour.

The victim’s father said on a Crusader’s Radio TV show that his daughter had endured domestic violence.

“This is not the first time he laid hands on my daughter,” he said. “We warned him several times, but he continued. Now he has killed her.”

The police confirmed the arrest of the suspect and said investigations were ongoing.

The incident sparked outrage in Minna, with rights activists and community leaders demanding justice.

Many are also calling for enhanced legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to curb the rising tide of gender-based violence across the country.

Human rights organisations have reiterated the need for stronger protections for women, particularly those in vulnerable situations such as pregnancy.