Man Sets Girlfriend Ablaze During Argument In Abuja
A 47-year-old vulcaniser, Saheed Ganiyu, is currently in police custody in police custody after he reportedly set his girlfriend, Esther, ablaze during a heated argument. The incident occurred when Ganiyu allegedly poured petrol from a bottle he was carrying onto Esther and ignited it with a lighter.
Ganiyu, however, has denied the accusations, claiming the fire was accidental. He asserts that while attempting to light a cigarette, he was unaware that petrol had dripped from the bottle he had tucked under his arm onto his girlfriend’s dress during a struggle to prevent her from consuming alcohol.
Esther, aged 32, is now in critical condition at the National Hospital in Abuja, suffering from severe burns. Following the incident, Ganiyu was nearly lynched by an angry mob but was rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. He was later released into police custody.
On December 29, 2024, around 10:15 PM, a distress call was made to the FCT Police Command regarding a situation at Jabi Motor Park. The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, quickly dispatched officers to the scene, where they found a large crowd gathered. Ganiyu was found severely beaten, while Esther was suffering from extensive burns.
Reports indicate that the couple had been embroiled in a fierce argument, leading to a physical struggle. Ganiyu was allegedly holding a plastic bottle with approximately half a litre of petrol, which he reportedly poured on Esther before igniting it with his lighter. Bystanders rushed to extinguish the flames, but Esther had already sustained critical injuries.
In an interview, Ganiyu stated that he did not intentionally harm his girlfriend and expressed his love for her. He explained that he had been concerned about her drinking habits and had confronted her about her alcohol consumption earlier that day. Ganiyu mentioned that he had given her money for church and food, hoping to support her.
He described the events leading up to the incident, stating that he had closed his business for the day and went to look for Esther, only to find her consuming alcohol. When he attempted to take the bottle from her, they began to struggle, resulting in the petrol bottle falling and causing the disastrous fire.
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Despite the severe nature of the incident, Ganiyu maintains that it was not his intention to cause harm, attributing the tragedy to a series of unfortunate events. He stated, “It was the devil that turned things this way. Since she has been hospitalised, despite my own injuries from the mob, I have not felt well.”
Esther’s uncle, Modaki Kofur, a retired warrant officer, expressed concern for his niece’s condition and the financial burden of her medical care. He revealed that Esther had previously lived with him and that she had suffered a leg injury years ago during military training.
The police have indicated that Ganiyu will face charges after their investigation concludes. Commissioner Disu emphasised the importance of managing anger and seeking peaceful resolutions during disputes to prevent such tragic outcomes.
Content Credit| Kemi Arowolo
Picture Credit | https://ladunliadinews.com/
