A woman allegedly burnt to death two teenage daughters of her boyfriend in the early hours of Monday at Kaffe in Zaki-Biam town of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State, Daily Trust gathered.
The suspect, identified simply as Mbayegh, was alleged to have set a traditional round hut ablaze after suspecting that another woman was inside with her lover. But unknown to her, the man was neither in the house, nor was the alleged other woman. Instead, two daughters of the man who were asleep in the hut got trapped in the raging fire. One of the victims reportedly died at the scene, while the second later succumbed to injuries sustained from the fire at a hospital. The police gave the names of the girls as; Precious Ordo, 6 years old and Sember Ordo, four years old
Witnesses said Mbayegh had earlier visited the residence of her boyfriend, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, on Sunday night but was asked to leave.
The witnesses further alleged that she refused to leave the premises after suspecting that another woman was inside the man’s house, a development which resulted in a heated argument.
Our correspondent also gathered that Aondoyima later locked his two daughters in the hut before leaving the compound.
Some witnesses said that the suspect allegedly set the hut on fire, believing the man’s supposed lover was inside but unknown to her, the two girls were asleep in the hut.
It was learnt that the mother of the deceased girls was away in Taraba State for farming activities when the tragedy occurred.
Residents also said that the suspect allegedly fled after the incident but was arrested near Tse-Dugwer village by members of the Benue State Volunteer Guards, who handed her over to the police.
The traditional ruler of Ukum, the Ter Ukum, Chief Orkaa Kaave, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on telephone, saying the wife of the man had travelled from home for farming activities.
Kaave explained, ‘From what the District Head of the area where the incident happened told me, it was a case of a jealous lover who suspected that her man friend was with his new found love in the hut and decided to set the hut ablaze to hurt both of them.
‘Unknown to her, the man had allegedly escaped with his new lover to another location while his two daughters slept in the hut. She is said to have been apprehended by the police.’
The police spokesperson for Benue Command, DSP Udeme Edet, on Tuesday confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Makurdi on telephone, saying that the suspect is already in custody and assisting investigators.
‘We don’t really know if it was a lovers quarrel that resulted to the act but the details we got from the father of the deceased who reported the matter at the police station was that, a person set his house on fire.
‘And that neighbours tried to rescue his two girls who were rushed to the hospital. Tragically, they died while receiving treatment. So I can’t say whether it was a lovers quarrel.
‘However, a suspect was arrested and investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ Edet said.
‘Suspect requires Psycho pathological assessment’
A Psychosocial therapist at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Makurdi, Ukeh George, said the suspect may be suffering from a mental health condition.
‘We need to do a psycho pathological assessment of the offender to reach a professional conclusion. However, we may conclude that she a stereotypical sociopath,’ George said.
Also, a Forensic psychologist, Geoffrey Orsuur, opined that the action of the suspect fell within the context of aggression occasioned by the malfunctioning of the frontal section of the brain.
He added, ‘Her family background must be traced before one can come to conclusions as the behaviour could be a combination of different factors to include biological, social or more. She must be examined to know her mental state.’