Anambra: Man sets wife ablaze over allegations of infidelity

…as victim dies Wednesday morning.

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

A middle-aged man (name withheld), from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has allegedly set his wife ablaze over alleged family dispute.

Vanguard gathered that the incident happened on Tuesday at Eziezekwe village in Abagana.

However, the victim, who was identified as Chioma Nwana, died on Wednesday at a nearby hospital, where she was rushed to, as a result of the burns she sustained during the incident.

A source revealed that the husband of the deceased who after the incident went to the Abagana Divisional Police Station to report the incident and present himself to the Police, has been detained at the police facility.

Vanguard further gathered that the suspect accused his wife of alleged infidelity, which led to both of them engaging in altercations and in the process, the man reached out for petrol, poured it on the victim and set her ablaze.

Another source who pleaded anonymity said, “the woman had returned home on Tuesday evening after the day’s outing with her supposed ‘secret lover’ when the angry husband confronted her.

“An altercation ensued during the confrontation and the man reached out for petrol and poured on his deceased wife and set her on fire.

“The victim had six children and living with the husband at Eziezekwe village. When the incident happened she was rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to death this (Wednesday) morning.

“The husband who ignited her with fire, reported himself to the police station stating that the wife was prostituting with men in the same village and they were using it to abuse him in his home that they are using his wife.”

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ikenga Tochukwu when contacted on Wednesday, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect is in Police custody.

“The suspect is in Police custody. However, the unfortunate thing is that the victim died this morning, Wednesday. And the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Unit for a comprehensive look.