Residents of Zaki-Biam, Ukum local government area of Benue State, are in tears after a girl set ablaze the house of her lover, leading to the death of his two daughters. The deceased girls were born to another woman but are under the custody of their father.
The suspect, Mbalumen Ikyenge, was said to have visited the boyfriend, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, and set his house ablaze upon suspicion that he was housing another woman.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command received a report from the father of the deceased girls alleging that a person set his house on fire. Edet said the command is yet to determine the motive behind the attack.
Some neighbours, however, alleged that the incident stemmed from a relationship dispute. The witnesses said the suspect visited the residence of her boyfriend on Sunday night, July 5, but was asked to leave.
The disgruntled girlfriend reportedly refused to leave as she suspected another woman was with her boyfriend in the house. The witnesses further claimed that Lerkwagh had locked his two daughters in a separate round hut before retiring to another hut.
According to the witnesses, at about midnight, the suspect set the hut ablaze, believing another woman was inside, but the fire engulfed the structure where the two girls were sleeping.
Neighbours were said to have rescued the children and rushed them to the hospital, where they later died from severe burns. Edet said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
