Nine-year-old boy sets family house abl∆ze, k!lls stepmothers, sisters
Nine-year-old boy sets family house ablaze, kills stepmothers, sisters
A nine-year-old boy has allegedly set his family house ablaze in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing his two stepmothers and two sisters.
The incident occurred on August 21, 2026, at Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement, where the victims were trapped inside the house and sustained fatal burns.
The Yobe State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Ali, on Wednesday.
According to the police, the Karasuwa Divisional Headquarters received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at the residence of one Abubakar Idi.
“Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, CP Unman Jibrin, directed the Violent Crime Response Unit to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation to establish the actual cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement partly read.
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The police said the investigation subsequently revealed that Idi’s nine-year-old son had allegedly started the fire.
It added that the child admitted to setting the house on fire, claiming that he acted in retaliation after his father allegedly beat him for stealing a chicken.
“The outcome of the investigation revealed that the fire was allegedly ignited by a 9-year-old son of the owner of the house. During the investigation, the child reportedly admitted to setting the house on fire, stating that he did so in retaliation after his father allegedly beat him a day earlier for stealing his chicken,” the statement added.
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The inferno reportedly killed two wives and two daughters of Idi, who were inside the house when the fire broke out.
The police said the investigation had reached its concluding stage and that the child would subsequently be presented before the appropriate authorities for necessary legal proceedings.
It stated that the process would be handled “in accordance with applicable laws governing children in conflict with the law.”
The Commissioner of Police commended the VCRU operatives for their diligence and professionalism in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Jibrin also directed that all necessary legal and child-protection procedures be strictly observed throughout the process.
The command condoled with the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to pay close attention to the welfare, behaviour and emotional wellbeing of children under their care.
It also urged members of the public to promptly report situations that could pose a threat to lives, property or the wellbeing of children to the police or other relevant authorities.
