A young man identified as Chidinma Ikechukwu Omah has died. He was reportedly set ablaze by his 18-year-old girlfriend in Wadata suburb of Makurdi in Benue State.
Omah, a patent medicine dealer, died about 10:00pm on Monday night, January 11, due to severe burns suffered after his girlfriend, Esther Alex, allegedly poured petrol on him and set him ablaze.
The suspect allegedly did it at 2:00am on Monday when the deceased was fast asleep in his one-room apartment.
According to an eyewitness, “The loud scream from the victim attracted the attention of neighbours. They rushed to help him but he had already suffered many burns. The neighbours immediately rushed him to the nearby Makurdi Federal Medical Centre where he was admitted for treatment.”
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the death of the victim in Makurdi on Tuesday, January 12 said that the suspect has been arrested.
She further explained, “We don’t know yet why she did that. We are yet to question her but I can confirm that she has been arrested and brought to our custody.”
Meanwhile, the body of the victim was evacuated from the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi for burial by his family.
