Police in Kogi State has arrested a 33-year-old man, Jacob Irewa, for allegedly setting his wife on fire following a domestic dispute in Lokoja.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, at Oworo Estate in Felele, Lokoja.
Police said the victim, Mrs Berida Irawo, sustained serious injuries in the attack and is currently receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele.
According to the command spokesman, ASP Afusat Saliu, operatives of the B Division Surveillance Team responded swiftly to a distress call and arrested the suspect at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the disagreement between the couple allegedly began after Mrs Irawo burnt some of her husband’s clothes without his consent.
The argument reportedly escalated, with Irewa allegedly threatening his wife before siphoning petrol from his motorcycle and setting her ablaze.
“In his statement to the police, the suspect admitted to setting his wife on fire,” Saliu said.
She added that investigations were ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather additional evidence.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, condemned the alleged attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for violence, particularly domestic violence, warning 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,” Kankarofi said.
Police said the suspect would be charged with attempted culpable homicide after the conclusion of investigations.
The command also urged residents to promptly report cases of domestic abuse to security agencies before they escalate into more serious incidents.
