Man Sets 5 Stepchildren Ablaze In Ondo

For allegedly setting five of his stepchildren ablaze in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, a 54-year-old man, Joseph Ojo is currently cooling his feet in Police net

The Ondo State Police Command said the man was arrested for pouring petrol into the room of his stepchildren and setting them ablaze after having a misunderstanding with their mother for denying him sex.

It was further gathered that the suspect who lived around the Fagun Crescent area of Ondo town, left his wife and her 18-month-old twins in the room and set the children and the room on fire.

An eyewitness account indicated that the alarm raised by the affected children attracted the neighbours who raced to the scene to save the situation. However, before help could come, one of the children had already been badly burnt in the fire incident.

According to the reports, the mother of the seven children, who was able to escape from the fire with her twins, had minor injuries while four of the children were rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment before being referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for further medical treatment.

A source within the area said the man perpetrated the heinous act because the mother of the children allegedly denied him sex and they have been having misunderstandings over the issue.

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Funmilayo Odunlami, while confirming the incident, said the man is now in police custody for a case of alleged arson and murder.

DSP Odunlami said the suspect is the stepfather of the victims and not their biological father, but that he is the father of the 18-month-old twins.

Odunlami said though an investigation had commenced into the matter, the Police would undertake further scrutiny before charging the suspect in court.