Opara Ugonna
By Ugonna Opara
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A man, Stephen Jiya, who set his mother ablaze in Niger State has given the reason for carrying out such a heinous act.
The Niger state police had arrested the suspect for murdering his mother, Mrs Comfort Jiya, who was a former principal at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna.
The deceased was in her kitchen at her home in Darusalam Area of Minna when her son who was returning from Suleja poured petrol on her and set her ablaze.
According to the Police Command Spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspect explained the reason for the murder was because his mother was always getting involved in his marital affairs.
“Earlier on 20/12/2021 at about 2030hrs, Police operatives attached to GRA Division arrested one Stephen Jiya aged 39yrs ‘m’ of Niger motel area of Suleja.
“The suspect was arrested at Darusalam, Minna for the offence of culpable homicide of his mother; one Mrs Comfort Jiya aged 61yrs (deceased) ‘f’ of Darusalam, Minna.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and claimed that he had had a misunderstanding with his wife at his home in Suleja which attracted intervention of neighbours and the issue was laid to rest while he left to work. On his return from work, he discovered that his wife had left home to Minna without his consent.
“He confessed further that he left Suleja to Minna on 20/12/2021 with a plastic bottle of Premium Motor Spirit (pms) and went to the family house where he met his mother cooking in the kitchen.
“The suspect sprayed the deceased with the pms in his possession and set her ablaze because she usually intrudes into his marital affairs, thereby suspected her for his wife’s disappearance from home.
“The outcry of the deceased and the flame attracted neighbours who rushed her to General hospital Minna, and she was later referred to another medical facility where she later gave up the ghost. Suspect has been arraigned in court for prosecution.
“The Command therefore wishes to advise parents/guardian to closely monitor their wards against influence of bad peers and use of hard drugs which always have strong connection to crime.”
