A 45-year-old woman, Abiodun, known locally as “Iya Sunday,” set her 86-year-old mother ablaze by dousing her in petrol and igniting it. Abiodun claimed her mother was responsible for her troubles.
The incident took place on Friday, June 14, 2024, in the Surulere area, opposite the Anglican Cathedral Church in the Ondo West local government area of Ondo State.
The victim, whose name has not been disclosed, suffered severe first-degree burns over her entire body and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
An eyewitness reported that Abiodun visited her mother’s home around 5 am on Friday. She accused her mother of causing her spiritual problems before committing the act.
“What happened between them before the incident we don’t know, but the suspect has been arrested by police at the Enu-Owa division for further investigation,” the eyewitness said.
The suspect, Abiodun, while speaking on the incident confirmed she set her mother on fire and did the act intentionally because she was told that her mother was behind her predicament.
“I went to my mother’s house around 4 a.m. and sat outside. When it was 5 a.m., I called out my mother from the house. Immediately after she came out, not knowing what was happening, I poured petrol on her body and set her on fire.
“I went to one pastor for prayer, and he told me that my mother is behind what is happening to me. I did not believe it at first. My mother also took me somewhere to see a woman. After my mother left, the woman also told me the same thing.
“I burnt my mother because of what I heard from the pastor and the woman, that I can only be free from bondage when my mother is dead.”
A police source at Enu-Owa police station who confirmed the incident said the suspect has been arrested and the case would be transferred to the Police headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Leave a Reply