Preliminary findings showed that the disagreement began after Irawo allegedly burnt some of her husband’s clothes without his permission.
By Moses Okorie
The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old man, Jacob Irewa, over an alleged attempt to set his wife on fire following a domestic dispute in Lokoja.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, at Oworo Estate, Felele area of the state capital, according to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu.
Saliu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the victim, Mrs Berida Irawo, suffered injuries during the incident and was receiving medical attention at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele.
She explained that officers attached to the B Division Surveillance Team responded to a distress call and arrested Irewa at the scene.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the disagreement began after Irawo allegedly burnt some of her husband’s clothes without his permission.
The argument reportedly became heated, after which Irewa allegedly threatened his wife, obtained petrol from his motorcycle and used it to set her ablaze.
Saliu said the suspect subsequently admitted during police interrogation that he had set his wife on fire.
The police spokesperson said investigators had commenced a detailed probe into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and obtain further evidence.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, condemned the incident as “barbaric and unacceptable”.
He warned that the command would not tolerate acts of violence, particularly those occurring within domestic settings, and advised residents to resolve disagreements through peaceful and lawful means.
“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.
The command disclosed that the suspect would be prosecuted for attempted culpable homicide after the conclusion of investigations.
The police further assured residents that they would continue to protect lives and property while ensuring that individuals responsible for violent offences face the full weight of the law.
It also called on residents to report incidents of domestic violence at the earliest opportunity to the relevant authorities before they escalate.