Residents of Unity Road, near the Abakpa Timber Shade Market in Enugu East Local Government Area, were thrown into shock on Monday after a woman identified as Mrs. Chidima Arinze allegedly stabbed two of her children to death in a horrifying domestic incident reportedly driven by prolonged family frustration.

The tragic event occurred around 9am on July 21, shortly after the woman’s husband had reportedly left for work.

Eyewitnesses and neighbours told SaharaReporters that the mother of three had been seated with her children when, in a sudden and unprovoked attack, she allegedly picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed her four-month-old son to death before turning the weapon on her four-year-old daughter, who was also fatally stabbed in the chest.

The eldest of her children, a girl, managed to escape and alert neighbours, who rushed to the scene only to find the grisly aftermath.

 “She didn’t run away,” a neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, told SaharaReporters.

“In fact, she called her sister to tell her what she had done. It was her sister who called the police."

Police officers from Trans-Ekulu Division responded swiftly to the distress call and found the lifeless bodies of Esther Arinze (4 years) and Chibusoma Arinze (4 months) in a pool of blood. Both children had visible wounds believed to be inflicted with a sharp object.

The scene was secured, photographed for forensic documentation, and the suspect was arrested without resistance. Police sources confirmed that the bodies were taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, where they were confirmed dead by doctors. The remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

While the Enugu State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement as of press time, police insiders described the case as “shocking” and said a preliminary investigation is ongoing.

 “The suspect is currently being held at Trans-Ekulu Division, and the case will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation,” a police source revealed.

Neighbours described the suspect as previously calm but noted that she had recently complained about being abandoned by her husband, who allegedly left her to bear the burden of caring for the family alone.

The tragic incident has sparked conversations around mental health, family support, and the burden of domestic stress, particularly for women in vulnerable economic situations.

Authorities are expected to charge the suspect with double homicide as investigations continue.