A woman has been arrested in Benue State after two young girls died from injuries sustained in a house fire allegedly linked to a domestic dispute in Ukum Local Government Area.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam, where the suspect, identified as Mbayegh, reportedly visited the residence of her alleged lover, Aondoyima Ierkwagh.
Community sources said the woman had asked to spend the night at the man’s residence but was turned away. The refusal reportedly led to an argument, after which she remained within the premises. Residents claimed she believed another woman was inside one of the houses, although this has not been independently verified.
According to local accounts, the man, whose wife was said to be away in Taraba State for farming activities, had earlier locked his two daughters inside a round hut before retiring to another building. The children were asleep when the fire broke out.
Neighbours reportedly rushed to the scene and rescued the girls before taking them to a hospital. Despite efforts to save them, both children later died from their injuries.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the children’s father reported that someone had set his house on fire. She noted that investigators were still working to establish the motive behind the attack.
“I don’t really know if it was a lovers’ quarrel that resulted in the act,” Edet said. “The report we received from the father was that someone set his house on fire. Neighbours tried to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital, but they sadly died while receiving treatment.”
The police spokesperson confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
