Rita Odafe
In a heartbreaking tragedy, a grandmother in Ondo State has allegedly set her son, wife, and two grandchildren on fire in the Apomu community of Akure, the state capital. The woman, identified as lforiti, reportedly complained that her family had been denying her food.
Korede Michael, an eyewitness, recounted the incident to newsmen. He said that he was the first to notice the fire at 2:00 am and rushed to rescue the family. Michael said that the woman had used dry palm fronds and a little petrol from a gallon to start the fire.
The victims were taken to UNIMED annex in Akure, but the doctors and nurses refused to treat them due to the severity of their burns. The family was then transported to the Federal Medical Center in Owo, where one of the grandchildren passed away. The son and wife also died, while the remaining grandchild is in critical condition.
Korede said that the suspect was not affected by the fire and that the children had been unable to remove her from the house as it had been built by her late husband. Police sources reported that the woman confessed to burning her family due to being denied food. The state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, could not be reached for comment.
