In-law drama is one thing most Nigerians actively pray against. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try to choose peace, your in-laws will go out of their way to test you. While some people turn the other cheek, these five Nigerians chose violence — and made sure the in-laws who tried them would never forget it.
“I made my sister in law sleep in a cell” — *Joan, 40
In 2018, a friend from church wanted to start a kerosene business. My husband linked her up with his older sister, who was already in the business. She collected ₦5 million from my friend and kept posting her for nearly eight months. My husband—a respected deacon — was too scared to confront his sister, which made the whole thing even more irritating.
My friend was very understanding, but when she hinted that her husband wanted to involve the police, I didn’t wait. I closed my shop in Jos that day, lied to my husband that I was going to Lagos to restock, and boarded a night bus. By 5 a.m., I was at the police station. I decided to confront his sister at her house first to give her the benefit of the doubt. She dismissed me and said I should go and do my worst.
So I did. I signalled the police officers waiting outside to come in and arrest her. After spending one night in a cell, she miraculously found the money and paid my friend back. The family called meetings to insult me, but at least I was sleeping well at night.
“I held a knife to my father-in-law’s throat” — *Tope, 37
We had two daughters, and I wanted more children, but my husband said we shouldn’t, as we were too busy with work. I didn’t know he was having an affair. The woman eventually gave birth to a boy, and he tried to keep it a secret. I found out when his parents came to our house, called me a witch who blocked their son’s destiny, and told me to leave with my daughters so their grandson and his mother could take our place.
I was in so much shock. I didn’t even realise when I grabbed a knife and held it to my father-in-law’s throat. I told them to leave or I’d kill him. My husband nearly peed on himself. They all begged me and left. It cemented their belief that I was a witch, but at least they never tried me again.
“I sent thugs to her son’s wedding introduction”— *Stephen, 46
After my wife died of cancer, her sister started treating me like a personal ATM. Last year, she came crying that she’d been diagnosed with early-stage cancer and needed urgent surgery. She begged for financial assistance. Cancer is a soft spot for me, so I gave her the money, even though it was meant for my daughter’s master’s program abroad. Two months later, I found out it was all a lie. She used the money to plan her son’s introduction. She even sent me an invitation.
I didn’t attend. Instead, I sent a group of area boys to crash the event. And they did a beautiful job.
“I poisoned my sister-in-law so she would go home” — *Ifeoma, 27
I got married quite early. My husband and I have been together for nearly five years, and we’re delaying children while we save to japa. His sister refuses to understand that and won’t let me rest. I think she hates me because I’m Igbo and they’re Yoruba. She’s always whining about how I’m barren and have refused to give her brother children.
A few months ago, she came to visit and overstayed her welcome. A week passed, and she was still there, talking rubbish to my husband. I was worried she would brainwash my husband, so I took action.
I saw on YouTube that lactulose powder can induce diarrhoea. So I bought some and added it her food. It worked in less than a day. She pooped and vomited nonstop until we rushed her to the hospital. I felt really guilty about it, but the minute she got discharged, she packed her bags and left. I don’t think I have any regrets.
“I staged my husband’s arrest to get back my documents” — *Hauwa, 34
When my husband and I first got married, we were too broke to rent our own place, so we lived with his parents. I hated it, but anytime I complained, they reminded me I was from a wealthy family and should endure.
When my dad visited and saw the situation, he gave me money to buy a building and start a business. Since I was naive and in an unfamiliar city, I let my husband and in-laws handle the process.
Biggest mistake of my life. I opened a restaurant, and it did well. Then my husband and I got jobs in another city. His family convinced me to let them manage it and promised to send rent.
They never sent one naira. Every time I asked, they called me disrespectful.
Eventually, I grew tired of it and sold the property behind their backs. I only told my husband when it was time to hand over the documents, which were with his parents. He sided with them when they refused to release the papers. I knew I had to act fast, and that’s when I planned with my sister to stage my husband’s arrest. We make it look like the new owner had him arrested over the documents. One phone call from him at the station was all it took for his family to cough up the papers.
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