Man, 26 Sets Grandmother Ablaze In Jigawa

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Jigawa state Police Command is investigating a 26-year-old man, Nura Mu’azu for allegedly setting his 60-year-old grandmother ablaze, following minor disagreement.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Lawan Shishu Adam, who confirmed the development, said the incident which was reported on Tuesday took place in Mu’azu village, Sule Tankarkar LGA of the state.

He added that the suspect reportedly went to their family house allegedly armed with a petrol canister and suddenly poured it on his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, 60, and set her ablaze

“The elderly woman eventually passed away while being admitted in hospital as a result of the conflagration. The medical doctor on call certified her death and the corpse was released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

“A team of police detectives from Sule Tankarkar Division quickly arrested the suspect and detained him in the cell. He was later ferried to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet investigation.

“During the interrogation, the suspect admitted to committing the alleged offence. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect suffers from mental illness and has been receiving treatment at Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital.

“The suspects further stated that, the late grandmother upset him by expressing concern about his physical appearance and health, which he did not want. He warned her on several occasions but she refused. Thus, he purchased gasoline, poured and ignited her.”

The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Tijani Abdullahi has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID) Dutse, to thoroughly investigate the case and vigorously prosecute the perpetrator in order to deter others from repeating it.