By Sunday Ameh
Tragedy struck in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State after two young sisters reportedly died from injuries sustained in a fire allegedly set by a woman said to be in a relationship with their father.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam, where the suspect, identified simply as Mbayegh, allegedly visited the residence of her lover, Aondoyima Ierkwagh.
Community sources said the woman wanted to spend the night at the man’s residence but was asked to leave after he declined her request.
According to the sources, the suspect became upset, believing another woman was inside the compound, and refused to leave despite repeated pleas.
It was further gathered that the children’s mother was away in Taraba State for farming activities, while their father had locked his two daughters inside a round hut before retiring to another section of the compound.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the suspect later set the hut ablaze, believing another woman was inside. The two girls became trapped in the fire and sustained severe burns.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the children’s father reported that an individual had set his house on fire.
Edet said neighbours made efforts to rescue the victims and rushed them to hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment.
She added that investigators were yet to establish whether the incident resulted from a lovers’ dispute, noting that a suspect had been arrested while investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
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