Teacher Arrested After Wife Is Set Ablaze During Domestic Dispute

(Nigeria Police. Photo by Premuim Times)

Police have arrested a teacher named Jacob Irewa for allegedly pouring petrol on his wife and setting her on fire during a domestic argument in Lokoja.

The att@ck happened on Friday, August 14, at about 8:30 p.m. at the couple's home in Oworo Estate.

According to police, the incident started after a disagreement between the couple.

The wife had burnt some of her husband's clothes without his permission.

Irewa became angry, threatened his wife, then fetched petrol from his motorcycle and set her ablaze.

The victim, Berida Irawo, survived the att@ck and was receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele.

Police said Irewa admitted to setting his wife on fire during questioning.

The suspect told police he had come home, bathed and wanted to wear one of his favourite short-sleeved shirts when he discovered that seven of them were missing.

He searched the house for the clothes and then asked his wife about them.

She told him she had burnt the shirts because she thought he was no longer wearing them.

In anger and frustration, Irewa went to his motorcycle, fetched petrol, poured it on his wife and lit it with matches.

He told police, "Out of frustration and anger, I went to where I parked my motorcycle and fetched petrol from it, poured it on her and lit it up with matches.

I don't know how it happened; may God have mercy on me."

Irewa claims to be an ordained pastor and teacher who was on holiday in Lokoja.

He said he had been married to the victim for many years and they have no children.

The Kogi State Government has been working to strengthen its response to gender-based violence.

In July 2025, a Case Management Committee was set up to handle cases of gender-based violence, child ab@se and family complaints.

The committee also provides support to survivors of such incidents.

Police said investigation into the att@ck is still ongoing.