9-YEAR-OLD BOY ARRESTED OVER ALLEGED FIRE THAT KILLED 2 STEPMOTHERS, BROTHERS IN YOBE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy for allegedly setting his family house ablaze, resulting in the death of his two stepmothers and two younger brothers in Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred at Rugan Badali, following an earlier accusation that the minor stole a fowl and was beaten by his father, Abubakar Idi.

The boy, who was paraded alongside his father by the police, reportedly confessed to setting the house on fire as an act of revenge against his father.

In an interview with Channels Television, the suspect said he bought a box of matches for N50 and waited until his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep before setting the house ablaze.

He said, “I carried one of our fowls to sell; the general public, looking at my age, reported me to my father, and I was beaten.

“The following day, I bought N50 worth of matches at the neighbourhood while my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep; I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me.”

The minor said he shouted for help after the fire started but did not initially disclose that he was responsible for the incident.

“Although when the house caught fire, I only shouted for help and people came for the rescue, I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer; I now confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu,” he added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, said the suspect was a minor but would not be allowed to go free, adding that his arrest was necessary to deter other children from engaging in unlawful acts.

The police spokesman also expressed concern over the incident, particularly as Yobe State continues to recover from years of Boko Haram insurgency.

The police command is expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the next steps in the investigation.