Man Arr£sted For Allegedly Setting Wife Ablaze In Lokoja

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A disagreement between a couple in Lokoja, Kogi State, took a disturbing turn on Friday night when a woman was allegedly set on fire by her husband.

The incident happened at Oworo Estate, in the Felele area of the state capital, leaving the woman, identified as Berida Irawo, injured and in need of medical attention.

Her husband, Jacob Irewa, was arr£sted shortly after the incident by officers of the Kogi State Police Command.

According to the police, the couple had been involved in an argument over some clothes before the situation reportedly escalated.

The command said Irawo had burnt some of her husband's clothes because she believed he was no longer using them. The action, however, reportedly angered Irewa and led to a confrontation between them.

Police spokesperson, ASP Salisu Afusat, said officers received information about the incident at about 8:30pm and moved to the area.

“On Friday, 14th August 2026, at about 2030 hours, the B Division Surveillance Team, Felele, received a report of the incident and immediately mobilised to the scene, where the suspect was arrested,” the statement read.

The police said the argument did not end with the initial disagreement over the clothes.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident followed a domestic disagreement after the victim burnt some of the suspect’s clothes which she believed he was no longer using, without his permission.

“The suspect subsequently threatened her, fetched petrol from his motorcycle and proceeded to set her ablaze.”

The woman survived the attack and was taken to Honey Gold Hospital in Felele, where she is currently receiving treatment.

The police have described the case as an alleged attempted culpable homicide and said investigations are still underway to establish exactly what happened before and during the incident.

Irewa was taken into custody after officers arrived at the scene. The command also said the suspect made a statement during the investigation in which he admitted setting his wife on fire.

“The suspect, in his statement to the Police, admitted to setting his wife ablaze. The Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather further evidence."

The police are expected to continue questioning the suspect and gathering evidence as the investigation progresses.

For now, Irawo remains under medical care while her husband remains in police custody over the alleged attack.

The incident has also raised fresh concerns about how quickly disagreements within the home can become dangerous when they are not properly resolved. What began with a dispute over personal belongings allegedly ended with one person suffering serious injuries and another facing a police investigation.

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