the mystery fire incident
Mystery midnight fire kills mother, three children
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakalikj]
Mysterious fire that gutted a thatched house has burnt to death, a mother, Mrs Chigozie Onuobu and her three children while they were asleep Tuesday night in Aguabata Echara in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state.
A family source, Samuel Okoro, who is a cousin to Mrs Chigozie Onuobu, in a telephone chat with Journalists Wednesday morning alleged that the fire incident was suspicious as there was no trace of bush burning around the razed building.
“I don’t think it was not deliberate. There was no trace of bush burning around the building. Moreover, they have a separate kitchen where they cook. The woman is my cousin sister. Actually, the man married two wives but the first wife is not living with them in the same compound.
“I was told that when some people called the husband of the deceased on the development, he nearly fainted. When we asked of him, neighbors said they didn’t know his whereabout. Maybe they felt we want to beat the man or express our anger”, Okoro said.
Another Source said there was a land dispute between the victims’ family and another family who had allegedly vowed to wipe them out.
The source added that it was not long they received the threats that the incident happened.
The source further disclosed that two persons had been reportedly arrested by in connection to the incident.
He called for a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the incident.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, DSP Loveth Odah said she was in a meeting but hinted she was not aware of the incident.
She however, promised to reach the Divisional Police Officer, Ikwo Police division, to get situation reports in the area.
