The police have arrested a teacher, Jacob Irewa, for allegedly pouring petrol on his wife, Berida Irawo, and setting her ablaze during a domestic dispute in Lokoja.
The state command’s spokesperson, Afusat Saliu, confirmed the arrest while responding to enquiries from journalists, saying the incident occurred on Friday, 14 August, at about 8:30 p.m.
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Saliu said preliminary investigation showed that the incident followed a domestic disagreement after the victim allegedly burnt some of Mr Irewa’s clothes without his permission.
“The suspect subsequently threatened her, fetched petrol from his motorcycle and proceeded to set her ablaze,” she said.
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She said the victim survived the attack and was 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,” Saliu said.
The incident reportedly occurred at the couple’s residence in Oworo Estate, Felele, Lokoja.
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The suspect told the police that he had returned home, taken his bath and wanted to wear one of his favourite short-sleeved shirts when he discovered that seven of them were missing.
He reportedly said he searched the room and other places where the clothes could have been kept before asking his wife about them.
According to the suspect’s account, his wife told him that she had burnt the shirts because she believed he was no longer using them.
He reportedly admitted fetching petrol from his motorcycle, pouring it on his wife and setting her on fire with matches.
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“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 reportedly said.
The suspect also claimed to be an ordained pastor and a teacher who was on vacation in Lokoja. He reportedly said he had been married to the victim for many years and that they had no child.
The incident comes amid efforts by the Kogi State Government to strengthen its response to gender-based violence and family-related complaints.
On 9 July 2025, the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development inaugurated a Case Management Committee to handle cases of gender-based violence, child defilement, abandonment and other family-related complaints.
The committee was also mandated to provide psychosocial support to survivors and coordinate the intake, assessment, monitoring, advocacy and evaluation of such cases.
The then Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Fatimah Momoh, urged members of the committee to handle cases professionally and with care.
The police said investigation into the alleged attack is ongoing.
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