A man identified as Olubunmi Johnson has been arrested by the Ogun State Police for allegedly setting his wife, Kikelomo, on fire in their apartment in the Ilogbo area of Ota, Ogun State.
The shocking incident occurred on Friday night, around 8:30 p.m., following what is believed to have been a domestic dispute. According to eyewitnesses, the violent act took place in the couple’s home on Fagbuyi Street, leaving the victim severely burned.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro, the police spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that Johnson had been arrested and is currently being detained in connection with the incident.
Odutola stated, “The husband doused his wife’s body with petrol and set her on fire with a match. Witnesses immediately rushed her to the hospital.”
Although the exact details of the argument that led to the violence have not been confirmed, it is clear that the situation escalated into a terrifying attack. A neighbor, who witnessed the horrific scene, immediately contacted the victim’s relatives. The relatives, in turn, notified the police, leading to a swift response from the authorities.
“The police officers from the Ilogbo Division quickly acted upon receiving the report. They arrested the 55-year-old suspect, who is now in custody,” Odutola said.
The police have classified the case as attempted murder, as the motive behind the incident remains under investigation. The wife, Kikelomo, is currently receiving medical treatment for her injuries, though her condition has not been disclosed.
This violent event comes on the heels of another domestic violence case in Lagos State, where a 30-year-old man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, allegedly killed his wife, Olajumoke, by stabbing her multiple times during an argument before setting their room on fire. The incident, which took place in October 2024, has raised concerns about rising domestic violence cases in the region.
Both cases have highlighted the severe consequences of domestic disputes escalating into violence, with authorities urging communities to report any signs of abuse to prevent further tragedies.
In response to the recent incidents, domestic violence advocacy groups have called for more awareness and stronger enforcement of laws to protect victims of abuse.
“We need to do more to ensure that domestic violence is addressed before it reaches such tragic outcomes,” one advocate said.