Nine-year-old boy arrested in Yobe after setting family home on fire

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy in Karasuwa Local Government Area after he allegedly set his family home ablaze, killing his two stepmothers and two younger brothers.

The tragedy occurred at Rugan Badal hamlet in Karasuwa. Based on police reports the child allegedly set the fire to seek revenge against his father, who had beaten him the previous day for stealing a fowl.

According to Daily Trust, the boy bought ₦50 worth of matches in his neighborhood while his stepmothers and younger brothers slept inside, struck the matches and ignited the house, trapping all four victims inside.

The 9 year old, after setting the residence on fire, raised alarm to alert neighbors, but denied responsibility for three days. He eventually confessed after three days of family and community prayers, leading to his arrest by officers in Damaturu.

Speaking in police custody, the 9 year old told the police what motivated his actions.

“I carried one of our fowls to sell. The general public, looking at my age, reported me to my father, and I was beaten…The following day, I bought ₦50 worth of matches in the neighbourhood while my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep; I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me”, the boy.

The Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, confirmed that officers paraded the young suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, at the state headquarters for questioning.

“Despite the suspect’s tender age, the extreme gravity of this crime demands legal accountability to serve as a clear deterrent,” ASP Adamu-Ali explained.

Yobe State Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the legal framework for handling the juvenile suspect.