IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday, 8 November confirmed that three out of the five children set ablaze by their stepfather, Ojo Joseph, have died from complications.
The middle-aged man was arrested by the Police in Ondo for allegedly setting ablaze five of his stepchildren at the Fagun area of Ondo town.
The 54-year-old perpetrated the dastardly act following a misunderstanding with his wife.
A competent police source told The Gazette that the accused allegedly poured patrol into the room occupying the children and set them on fire while asleep.
âOne of them was burnt to death but the woman (wife) escaped with four other children with minor injuries,â the source said in a phone chat.
It was reliably gathered that the remaining four victims were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo but unfortunately two more passed away.
Confirming the development, Funmi Odunlami, the spokesperson for the Ondo police command, said the children died at the Federal Medical Hospital, Owo.
âTwo of them (children) have died. They suffered severe burns and could not survive the complications,â Ms Odunlami said.
She explained that everything was being done by doctors to save the remaining children, adding that their mother was yet to recover from the trauma of the attack.
âThough sheâs responding to the treatment, you can imagine the trauma,â Ms Odunlami said.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect would be charged with murder and arson immediately after investigation has been concluded.