The police in Delta State have arrested a 42-year-old woman, Faith, who allegedly poured fuel on Sunday Arigbe, her debtor, and set him ablaze over N200 debt. She was said to have carried out the gruesome act along with a female accomplice, a petrol black market operator around Jakpa area currently at large.
It gathered that the incident took place at about 2 am last on August 26, around the Jakpa Junction area of the city in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area. Sources told our reporter that the victim, who died as a result of severe burns he suffered, was said to be owing to one of the women who reportedly poured fuel on him while the second lady put fire on the deceased.
It was not clear the manner of the transaction the deceased had with the first suspect, who poured fuel on Arigbe. Trouble was said to have ensued between the duo when the woman demanded her money which resulted in her pouring fuel on her debtor. It was gathered that after Arigbe was poured fuel, the second woman, Faith, threw a stick of matches at the deceased’s direction, and he was immediately gutted by fire.
He was said have died before they could rush him to hospital for treatment. “Sunday Arigbe was owing to the woman popular called Mama N200 balance for the fuel he bought from the woman some time ago. When she was asking the money, they started exchanging words and the woman poured petrol on him.
“Another petty trader close to the Mama threw a stick of matches on Sunday’s body which resulted in flames. All over his body was burnt and he died before they rushed him to hospital after sympathizers were able to put off the fire,”
one of the witnesses recounted. Policemen from Ekpan Police Division have arrested Faith while Mama has absconded. It was gathered the police have repeatedly raided the Jakpa Junction in search of the fleeing woman. A relative of the deceased, who drew the attention of this reporter to the incident, accused the police of attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet.
The deceased’s relation, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, while demanding justice for his slain brother, said the police are not doing enough to apprehend the second culprit. When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, confirmed the incident. Adeleke, who said one of the suspects has been an arrest, added that she would be charged to court.
Also confirming the incident, the state police public relations officer, Onome Onowakpoyeya, said Faith was already in police custody.
