Police to prosecute Kogi man for allegedly setting wife ablaze

Police to prosecute Kogi man for allegedly setting wife ablaze

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old man, Jacob Irewa, for allegedly setting his wife, Berida Irawo, ablaze following a domestic dispute in Lokoja.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, at Oworo Estate, Felele, in Lokoja, according to the police.

The victim reportedly sustained serious burns in the incident and is receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital, Felele.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, said operatives of the B Division Surveillance Team responded to a distress call and moved to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

Preliminary police investigations indicated that the disagreement between the couple allegedly started after Irawo burnt some of her husband’s clothes without his consent.

The dispute reportedly escalated after Irewa allegedly threatened his wife before obtaining petrol from his motorcycle and setting her on fire.

Saliu said the suspect admitted during questioning to setting his wife ablaze.

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She, however, said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident and gather additional evidence.

The police have not disclosed the extent of the victim’s injuries or how long she is expected to remain in hospital.

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, condemned the alleged attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.

Kankarofi reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for domestic violence and warned that anyone found to have endangered another person’s life would face the full weight of the law.

“The command will not condone any action capable of endangering lives. We encourage citizens to seek peaceful and legal means of settling disagreements,” the commissioner said.

The police said the suspect would be charged with attempted culpable homicide after the conclusion of investigations.

The command also appealed to residents to report cases of domestic abuse and violence to the appropriate authorities before disputes escalate into potentially fatal incidents.

The latest development adds to concerns over domestic violence and the need for early intervention when conflicts within households become threatening.

For now, Irewa remains an accused person, and the allegation against him will be subject to judicial determination if the case proceeds to court.

Police to prosecute Kogi man for allegedly setting wife ablaze