Brother allegedly sets pregnant sister ablaze for slapping mother

THE police in Lagos State have arrested a boy simply identified as Chima for allegedly setting his elder sister ablaze. The 20-year-old pregnant lady, Victoria, was set ablaze at C.A.C bus stop in Okokomaiko area of Ojo Local Government.

She was confirmed dead by medical doctors. Victoria died hours after her brother, who was said to be instructed by their mother to scold the pregnant lady over her recent actions, grabbed a jerry can already fill with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) in their restaurant and doused the deceased with the content and set her ablaze.

Victoria was alleged to be two months pregnant at the time the incident occurred on May 14. It was gathered that Chima had picked up a keg in the kitchen to hit his sister for allegedly slapping their mother not knowing that the keg contained Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in it. The trio were in the kitchen of their restaurant when an argument ensued between Victoria and their mother.

Trouble was said to have started after the woman chided her daughter for leaving their residence to cohabit with men. Victoria, it was gathered, did not like the scolding and in no time raised her hand against her mother, which forced Chima to grab a nearby keg to hit her, but the content allegedly poured out with some of it touching Victoria, which ignited fire leaving her with severe burns.

It was learnt that the girl was initially taken to a nearby hospital on Kemberi road, Okokomaiko but doctors rejected her and referred them to Alimosho General Hospital, Igando where she was confirmed dead.

According to sources, the deceased’s cry and smoke that billowed from the kitchen attracted neighbours who assisted in putting out the fire. Chima was said to have attempted fleeing the scene after realising the harm he had done his sister but was restrained by youths in the community who later handed him over to the police.

An eyewitness and resident of the area, Sunday Ezekiel, said that the altercation between them did not warrant the use of fuel, adding that all they heard was the girl’s distress cry and then the thick smoke from the kitchen. It was learnt that their mother who tried to put out the fire also sustained burn injuries on her legs.

When contacted, police spokesman, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Yaba for further action. Elkana said he was not aware the deceased Victoria was pregnant.