A 54-year-old man named Ojo Joseph has been detained by the Ondo State Police Command for setting five of his stepchildren on fire in the Fagun Crescent neighborhood of Ondo Town, Ondo State.
According to reports, the man claimed that his wife, who is the children’s mother, had hurt him due to a minor misunderstanding.
Further information revealed that one of the children was fatally burned after the father, who is said to have set the children on fire while they were asleep, poured gasoline into their room.
While their mother and 18-month-old twins managed to escape the flames with just minor injuries, four additional victims are currently seeking treatment at Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the occurrence and said the man had been detained by the police in connection with an alleged murder and arson case.
Before bringing the suspect to court, according to the PPRO, more investigation would be conducted.