Tragedy In Yobe As 9-Year-Old Allegedly Sets Family Home Ablaze In Revenge

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy over an alleged arson incident that claimed the lives of his two stepmothers and two younger brothers at Rugan Badali in Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.                                                                                                                                                                                          According to Bush Radio Academy, the minor allegedly set the family home on fire while the victims were asleep after reportedly becoming angry with his father over an accusation that he had stolen a fowl.

The boy reportedly told the police that his father had beaten him after members of the community informed him that he had taken one of the family’s chickens to sell.

He allegedly said he later bought a box of matches from a nearby vendor and set the house ablaze while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were sleeping, describing the act as revenge for the beating.

According to his account, he raised an alarm and residents rushed to the scene to assist after the building caught fire. He did not initially disclose that he had allegedly started the fire.

The suspect reportedly confessed to the incident three days later following prayers and was subsequently arrested by the police and taken to Damaturu.

The police later paraded the boy alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, as authorities continued their investigation into the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Yobe State, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, confirmed that the suspect was a minor but said the case would not simply be overlooked because of his age.

The police spokesperson said the action was necessary to address the seriousness of the alleged offence and serve as a deterrent to other children who might engage in unlawful activities.

Adamu-Ali also expressed concern over the incident, particularly as Yobe continues to recover from years of insecurity and the devastating effects of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths and the alleged fire remain under investigation by the police.