A man, Ojo Joseph, has been arrested by the Ondo State police command for allegedly setting ablaze five of his stepchildren in the Fagun area of Ondo town.
According to The PUNCH, the 64-year-old suspect committed the crime after a fight with his wife, who is the mother of the victims.
The wife had the children with a different man but divorced him and married to the suspect.
She and the suspect share marriage a set of twins.
However, a source said that the culprit doused the children’s room in gasoline while they slept and then set it on fire.
One of the one stepchildren reportedly died in the fire, while the mother and the four other children suffered various degrees of injuries.
They are said to be receiving treatment in a hospital.
The source said, “Four other victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while their mother and the 18-month-old twins escaped with minor injuries.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the suspect was arrested after the matter was reported to the police.
She said, “We have yet to know why the man committed the act but we heard that he had a misunderstanding with his wife. He is currently in our custody and we have begun investigation into the matter. The suspect will be charged after investigation.”
