Man sets self, girlfriend ablaze in Benue

The police command in Benue says that a middle-aged man simply identified as Nicodemus has set himself and his girlfriend ablaze in Makurdi over a disagreement.

Catherine Anene, the command’s spokesperson, who broke the tragic news to NAN on Sunday, said Nicodemus died on the spot while his girlfriend, who identified as Shiminenge, passed away at the state teaching hospital in Makurdi.

Anene said Nicodemus committed the act while he was at his girlfriend’s residence on Saturday along Inkipi street.

She said the incident occurred after an argument — the cause of which was unknown — had ensued between the pair.

The spokesperson added that Nicodemus had locked himself and the lady in her room before setting the room ablaze.

“He used the fuel to set himself and the lady ablaze after locking the house from inside,” Anene, a DSP, explained.

“According to an eyewitness, there was an argument between them which we are yet to find out. We understand that Nicodemus, while coming to Shiminenge’s house, came along with fuel.”

A neighbour of Shiminenge, however, told NAN that Nicodemus had abandoned his wife and kids for the lady and that trouble ensued when the lady told him of her plan to marry someone else.

“Nicodemus was not happy with the lady over her decision to leave him for another man. He had earlier abandoned his wife and kids for Shiminenge. So, he couldn’t bear the disappointment,” the neighbour, who preferred anonymity, said.