A couple has died of burns in Abule Oturi, Akute, Ogun state, following a domestic dispute.
The man identified as Ponle Adebanjo allegedly burnt his estranged wife, Lateefat after she left him over domestic violence but the wife dragged him into the fire too.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident to newsmen.
Oyeyemi said that the husband was arrested on Saturday after the neighbours of the victim reported the incident to the police.
“The suspect was arrested on Saturday after concerned neighbours reported the incident to the police at the Otun-Akute division,” he said
“The estranged husband, Ponle, was reported to have told many people in the area that the wife had no right to live alone and vowed that no other man would be with her after she left him due to physical abuse.
“The couple was married for three years and resided in Otun-Akute, until the woman, Lateefat, decided to leave him when she could no longer cope with the abuse.
“Mr Ponle was said to have gone to the residence of his ex-wife and threatened to kill her if she did not return to his house.
Neighbours explained that the man was fond of beating the woman, at times almost to a point of death.
Their fights were said to have become a community matter as the woman was hospitalised on many occasions until she decided to pack out of his house, a month ago when she rented an apartment on the same street.
“Mr Ponle was said to have stalked the deceased’s movement to carry out his assault despite her avoiding him on many occasions and on Thursday last week, he went to her house and threatened to burn her alive but she managed to run away.
“Mr Ponle went back to the victim’s house on Saturday night and met her praying.
“He poured petrol on her in the room and set her ablaze but the woman managed to grab him to ensure they burned together until people intervened.
” They were rushed to a nearby hospital where the woman was confirmed dead.”
The man, who was handed over to the police, later died.
