The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Jacob Irewa of Oworo Estate, Felele, Lokoja, for allegedly pouring petrol on his wife, Berida Irawo, and setting her on fire following a reported domestic dispute.
The incident reportedly happened on Friday afternoon at their residence over issues concerning the missing short sleeve shirts of the husband.
Trouble was said to have started when the husband discovered that his “much cherished” short-sleeved shirts were missing from the room.
“I came from outside, took my bath and had wanted to put on any of my favourite short-sleeve shirts, seven in number; I did not see any of them in the room. I searched everywhere, including where we used to sun-dry clothes on a hanger at the back of the building.
“I asked my wife about it in the room; she ran outside, telling me she had burnt them, after mounting pressure on her. I asked her why.
“Out of frustration and anger, I went to where I parked my motorcycle and fetched petrol from it, poured it on her and lit it up with matches. I don’t know how it happened; may God have mercy on me”, he said.
The suspect, who claimed to be an ordained pastor and a teacher at Irawo village on vacation in Lokoja, stated that he had never fought his wife on anything.
He claimed to have been married for years without a child.
However, the Kogi State Police Command has arrested the suspect in connection with an attempted culpable homicide involving his wife, Berida Irawo.
The Police said they received a report of the incident on Friday, 14th August 2026, at about 2030 hours.
The police command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said: “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 victim survived the attack and is currently receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital, Felele.
“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.”
