Tragedy in Benue as Woman Allegedly Sets Boyfriend’s Two Daughters Ablaze Over Suspected Infidelity

ZAKI-BIAM, Benue State – A wave of shock and grief has engulfed the quiet community of Zaki-Biam in Ukum Local Government Area following the gruesome death of two young sisters, aged 4 and 6, who were allegedly set ablaze by their father’s girlfriend in a fit of jealousy.

The suspect, identified as Mbalumen Ikyenge, is currently in police custody after she reportedly locked the victims inside a hut and set it on fire late Sunday night, believing that her boyfriend, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, was harbouring another woman inside the premises.

According to eyewitness accounts, trouble began when Ikyenge visited her boyfriend’s residence and was asked to leave. She allegedly refused, insisting that another woman was hiding in the house. An argument ensued, but the boyfriend reportedly dismissed her claims and retired for the night.

However, around midnight, neighbours were jolted from sleep by the sight of flames and the sound of crackling fire coming from a thatched hut within the compound. It was later discovered that Ikyenge had set the structure ablaze, unaware that the only occupants inside were the boyfriend’s two young daughters—not the alleged rival she had been hunting for.

The victims, whose names have not been released by authorities, suffered severe burns. They were immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility by sympathisers, but were pronounced dead on arrival due to the degree of their injuries.

Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command said the suspect was arrested shortly after the attack and has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for interrogation. A police source revealed that Ikyenge has made “statements implicating herself,” but has not yet offered a clear motive beyond suspicion of infidelity.

“We are treating this as a case of culpable homicide and arson,” the source said. “It is heartbreaking that two innocent children lost their lives because of an adult’s unfounded suspicion.”

The father of the deceased, Mr. Ierkwagh, was said to be inconsolable at the scene, wailing and blaming himself for the relationship that led to the tragic outcome. Community elders have condemned the act, describing it as “barbaric” and “unacceptable,” and have called for the full weight of the law to be brought against the suspect.

Local leaders have also urged the police to ensure a speedy investigation, while women’s groups in the area are using the tragedy to counsel couples on resolving disputes without resorting to violence.

As of press time, the police have not stated whether the suspect would be arraigned in court, but sources confirm that murder and arson charges are being prepared.

The bodies of the two sisters have been deposited at a morgue, pending autopsy and burial arrangements.

This tragic incident has once again cast a dark shadow over the growing spate of domestic violence in the region, leaving the community to mourn what many have called a “senseless and avoidable” loss of innocent life.

Tragedy in Benue as Woman Allegedly Sets Boyfriend’s Two Daughters Ablaze Over Suspected Infidelity

Police Arraign Visa Agent Over Alleged N7.6 Million Fraud in Ibadan

IBADAN — The police on Monday arraigned a 36-year-old visa agent, Lawal Idris, before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly defrauding an intending emigrant, Atinuke Adeoso, of N7.6 million under the pretence of procuring Canadian or Spanish work visas for her, in a case that highlights the growing epidemic of visa fraud in Nigeria, where unlicensed agents exploit the desperation of citizens seeking to travel abroad in search of better opportunities. The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty, and the prosecutor, ASP Sikiru Ibrahim, alleged that between November and December 2025, the defendant fraudulently obtained N7,660,000 from Ms Adeoso, knowing that the offer of procuring foreign work visas was false, and fraudulently converted the money to his own use, thereby defrauding the victim of her hard-earned savings.

According to the prosecutor, the offence was committed at No 48, Taiwo House, Sango area of Ibadan, and contravenes Section 383 and is punishable under Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which criminalise stealing and fraudulent obtaining of property. The magistrate, M. Mudashiru, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be his close relative and must possess a voter’s card or driver’s licence, and he adjourned the matter until August 10 for a hearing, giving the prosecution time to prepare its case and the defence to respond to the allegations.

This case is far from isolated, as visa-related fraud has quietly grown into one of the fastest-rising sources of financial loss among middle-income Nigerians desperate to relocate abroad, with the EFCC reporting that it received more than 1,200 complaints regarding fake US visas and job offers in 2025 alone, with victims losing an estimated N4.7 billion to these scams. Between 2020 and 2024, Interpol Nigeria estimates that Nigerians lost at least $60 million to migration scams, though the true figure may be significantly higher, as many victims refrain from reporting due to embarrassment or fear, which enables criminal networks to persist and continue defrauding unsuspecting citizens. Experts have warned that Nigeria risks creating a shadow fraud economy worth as much as N50 billion as fraudsters prey on citizens’ desperation to travel abroad, and between 2022 and September 2023 alone, an estimated 3.68 million Nigerians left the country, with Afrobarometer reporting that 56 per cent of Nigerians have considered emigrating, up from 36 per cent in 2017, creating a fertile ground for scammers.

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This soaring demand has opened the door for scammers who operate without any licensing framework to regulate migration services in the country, and authorities acknowledge the explosion in such crimes, with the EFCC reporting that petitions on travel and visa scams jumped 48 per cent in early 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the sharpest spike on record. Scammers have intensified their tactics, using fake websites, unsolicited social media messages, and urgent calls to pressure applicants into making payments, often promising fast approvals or guaranteed visas in return, while leaving victims stranded after they have paid substantial sums of money that they can ill afford to lose.

Lawal Idris is not alone in facing such allegations, as police and anti-corruption agencies across Nigeria have recently intensified efforts to tackle a growing wave of visa fraud and travel scams. In Lagos State, the police recently arrested a syndicate that allegedly defrauded more than 100 victims of over N500 million by falsely claiming to facilitate Canadian and Australian work visas, and the suspects, aged between 23 and 36, operated under the guise of an educational consultancy, collecting money from applicants through personal bank accounts and unofficial channels while never submitting legitimate applications. Similarly, in Osun State, police arrested a 54-year-old man over alleged visa fraud involving N8,410,000, where the suspect presented himself as a travel agent but allegedly absconded with the money and became unreachable, leaving his victims without recourse. In a related case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating a travel agent and visa consultant, Chukwujindu Goodness Nchekwube, for allegedly defrauding about 24 persons of approximately N68 million under the pretence of processing work visas, with some victims reportedly receiving forged visas and offer letters after making substantial payments. Additionally, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently arraigned a woman in Ekiti over an alleged N159 million visa fraud, demonstrating the scale and geographical spread of the problem across the country.

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a formal warning to Nigerians planning international travel, emphasising that visa application fraud is on the rise and urging strict adherence to official procedures to avoid falling victim, and the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) has been at the forefront of these efforts, investigating and prosecuting offenders. According to police and anti-fraud experts, applicants should be wary of several red flags, including requests for payment into personal bank accounts, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, promises of guaranteed visa approval or “fast-track” processing, pressure to act quickly to secure limited slots, agents operating solely through social media without physical offices, demand for upfront fees without proper documentation, and instructions to submit false information, all of which are common tactics used by fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting victims.

Experts advise Nigerians to take ownership of their travel plans and verify all information directly from official embassy websites or government-approved agents, and immigration strategist Joseph Dangana advises that before engaging anyone, Nigerians should verify through the Nigerian Immigration Service’s official registry, as people have been known to land abroad only to be deported instantly for travelling with forged papers. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has introduced the Nigeria Certified Immigration Agent (NCIA) initiative to professionalise visa facilitation services by certifying and regulating authorised agents, providing a framework for identifying legitimate service providers. Police urge victims of visa fraud to report suspicious activity to law enforcement without delay, noting that many victims refrain from reporting due to embarrassment or fear, which enables criminal networks to persist and continue defrauding other unsuspecting citizens, and they have set up a dedicated Immigration Fraud Section with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, working closely with the Nigerian Immigration Service and foreign embassies to dismantle visa rackets and fake travel document syndicates.

Police Arraign Visa Agent Over Alleged N7.6 Million Fraud in Ibadan

Police Nab Woman Caught on Video Trying to Slit Maid’s Throat in Umuahia

UMUAHIA — The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Mrs Nwoko Gift, for allegedly attempting to kill her 12-year-old house help and niece, Miss Ebony Chimamanda, with a kitchen knife at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia, following the circulation of a disturbing viral video on social media on Monday, July 6, 2026, which captured the horrifying moment the woman assaulted the young girl and attempted to cut her throat with a knife. In the footage, the visibly terrified victim is seen lying face-down on a concrete floor, pleading for mercy while crying, “Aunty no,” as she shielded her throat from the weapon, and a neighbour in the compound filmed the entire incident, while the young girl was later rescued by a man who intervened to stop the woman from carrying out the deadly attack.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and the suspect, who hails from Ehime Mbano, Imo State, allegedly attempted to kill the girl because she refused to spread clothes she was instructed to hang before the suspect left for the market. The police spokesperson detailed: “Preliminary investigation reveals that on 05/07/2026, Mrs Nwoko Gift, female, 35 years old, of Ehimembano Imo State but resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, the aunt to Miss Ebo Chimamanda (female, 12 years) of the same address, on the same date attempted to kill Miss Ebo Chimamanda, who stays with her, on the basis that she refused to spread the clothes she was asked to spread before the suspect left for the market” . Police investigations further uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse, revealing that the suspect had repeatedly beaten and threatened to kill the young girl in the past, painting a grim picture of prolonged domestic violence against a vulnerable child entrusted to her care.

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Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene, rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the kitchen knife used in the attack, ensuring that the weapon was secured as evidence for prosecution. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, and the suspect will be charged with attempted murder upon the conclusion of the inquiry, as police work to build a strong case that ensures justice is served for the young victim. The Police Command strongly condemned the act, with DSP Chinaka stating: “This act is strongly condemned in its entirety. The Abia State Police Command is aware of the incident, and investigation is currently ongoing. The suspect is in our custody, and we will keep the public informed as the investigation progresses” . In a further statement, the command added: “The Command condemns such actions for whatever reasons and advises members of the public to desist from such acts, as well as to report any such incidents to the nearest police station. Together we can keep Abia safe. See something, say something” , underscoring the importance of community vigilance in combating domestic violence and child abuse.

The viral video has triggered widespread outrage across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the attack as attempted murder rather than discipline, and the public has demanded swift justice for the young girl while expressing concern over the rising incidence of child abuse across the country. Nigerian writer and social commentator Charles Ogbu, founder of the Leave No One Behind Rural Care Initiative, has called on the government to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children in Nigeria, arguing that the frequency and brutality of such incidents demand urgent systemic intervention. In a passionate social media post, Ogbu declared: “I have said it again and again, our society needs to declare a state of emergency on Child abuse and violence against children. And offenders deserve nothing but the harshest punishment possible. This is a blight on human civilization. Happened today at IBB Estate, Umuahia. I have since forwarded the video to the state government and secured assurances of their prompt action. This is attempted murder!” , reflecting the growing frustration among Nigerians who feel that existing laws and enforcement mechanisms have failed to protect vulnerable children. The incident has renewed calls for stronger protection of vulnerable children and enforcement of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law across Nigeria, as the young victim is expected to receive medical and psychological rehabilitation from the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, which has been urged to take custody of the minor and ensure her long-term safety and wellbeing.

Police Nab Woman Caught on Video Trying to Slit Maid’s Throat in Umuahia