The Police in Benue State have arrested one Mbalumen Ikyenge for allegedly setting fire to the house of her boyfriend, identified as Aondoyima Ierkwagh, an incident that led to the deaths of his two daughters, aged four and six, in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command received a report from the father of the deceased girls alleging that a person had set his house on fire.
Edet said the command is yet to determine the motive behind the attack.
Some neighbours, however, alleged that the incident stemmed from a relationship dispute.
The witnesses said the suspect visited her boyfriend's residence on Sunday night, July 5, but was asked to leave.
The disgruntled girlfriend reportedly refused to leave, as she suspected another woman was with her boyfriend in the house.
The witnesses further claimed that Ierkwagh had locked his two daughters in a separate round hut before retiring to another hut himself.
According to the witnesses, at about midnight, the suspect set the hut ablaze, believing another woman was inside, but the fire engulfed the structure where the two girls were sleeping instead.
Neighbours were said to have rescued the children and rushed them to the hospital, where they later died from severe burns.
Edet said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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