A middle-aged woman in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, North central Nigeria, identified as Mbayegh, was reported to have set two children of her lover ablaze over a little disagreement.
The incident, according to a local source, occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam, in the Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
Mbayegh, according to community sources, had visited the residence of her lover, identified as Aondoyima Ierkwagh.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Ierkwagh allegedly declined to let her stay and insisted that she leave despite her repeated pleas.
Angered by his decision, the woman reportedly refused to leave the premises.
“She perhaps thought that her man, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, had brought in another woman, which angered her,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the man, whose wife had travelled to a village in Taraba State for farming activities, later locked his two daughters in a round hut before entering another hut.
The source said, “At about midnight, the distraught woman, who was suspecting that the other woman was in the hut, allegedly set the hut where the two daughters were sleeping ablaze, and they were burnt beyond recognition.”
The spokesperson for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the incident, said that the father of the deceased girls had reported the case to the police.
The PPRO said, “I don’t really know if it was a lovers’ quarrel that resulted in the act, but the report we got from the father of the girls, who reported to the police, was that a person set his house on fire.
“He said that neighbours tried to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital. Tragically, they died while receiving treatment.
“So I can’t say whether it was a lovers’ quarrel, but a suspect was arrested and the investigation is currently ongoing.”
Source: Punch
