Rita Odafe
Saheed Ganiyu, a 47-year-old vulcaniser, is under police custody following allegations of setting his girlfriend on fire during a dispute in Abuja.
Currently held at the Utako Division of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Ganiyu has reportedly been accused of dousing his girlfriend, Esther, with petrol before igniting it with a lighter. However, he refutes these claims, stating that the fire was accidentally sparked while he attempted to light a cigarette.
Ganiyu claims that while he tried to stop Esther from consuming alcohol, a bottle of petrol he was carrying dripped onto her clothes during their struggle.
Esther, aged 32, is now at the National Hospital in Abuja, where she is receiving treatment for severe burns. Ganiyu narrowly escaped a mob’s wrath before being taken to the hospital himself for medical care. He was released back into police custody shortly after.
Reports indicate that on December 29, 2024, at approximately 10:15 PM, the FCT Police Command received a distress call about an incident at Jabi Motor Park. Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, swiftly dispatched officers to the scene, where they discovered a sizeable crowd along with the injured couple.
Authorities learned that the couple had engaged in a physical altercation. Witnesses claimed Ganiyu, with a half-litre bottle of petrol, poured it on Esther before setting her ablaze.
People rushed to assist Esther when flames engulfed her, but she suffered significant injuries. The enraged crowd turned on Ganiyu, who was severely beaten before police intervened. Following treatment, he was taken to the police station while Esther remained hospitalized.
In an interview, Ganiyu, originally from Ibadan, Oyo State, expressed his love for Esther and insisted that he did not intentionally burn her. He explained that he was unaware of the petrol dripping on her clothing amidst their struggle over a lit cigarette. He also mentioned that Esther had attempted to retaliate regarding his disapproval of her drinking habits.
Ganiyu described their relationship, recounting his care for Esther, who helped him in his business. He provided her with money for her church offerings and planned to buy her clothes for the New Year. When he discovered her drinking alcohol, he confronted her, leading to their altercation as she tried to take the alcohol bottle back from him.
He recounted the fateful moment, stating that as he was lighting a cigarette, he heard a loud noise and saw Esther’s clothing catch fire from the petrol he inadvertently spilled during their confrontation.
Ganiyu expressed his regret, emphasizing how much he cared for Esther and how her situation has deeply affected him. He reiterated his desire to be with her, proposing marriage and wishing for her positive transformation.
The publication also noted Ganiyu’s background as a divorced father of three, whose ex-wife has since remarried. Meanwhile, Esther’s uncle, Mr. Modaki Kofur, revealed that Esther previously lived with him and described her physical condition as a result of an accident during a recruitment training for the Nigerian Navy.
Kofur expressed concern over the financial burden of Esther’s medical expenses, emphasizing that the responsibility fell to Ganiyu, who has not provided adequate support for her care since the incident.
In light of the case, CP Disu called for people to manage their anger effectively and seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts to prevent tragic outcomes. He confirmed that Ganiyu would face trial once the police investigation is complete.
