Lagos: Man arrested for ‘killing estranged spouse

A 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola has been arrested by the Ogun state Police command over the alleged homicide of his estranged spouse, 40-year-old Igbagbo Erobe, who was reportedly killed earlier than her father’s home was set ablaze in Igbo Edu, Abigi space of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The deceased, a mom of six, had reportedly moved out of her matrimonial residence and returned to her father’s home following the breakdown of her relationship with the suspect, with whom she had allegedly been concerned for about two years.

However, what led to her demise stays a topic of police investigation, because the suspect has denied any involvement within the killing, insisting that he stopped visiting the girl after she knowledgeable him that she had discovered one other man and was now not considering their relationship.

Police sources on Friday on the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ogun State Police Command, disclosed that the incident occurred within the early hours of October 18, 2026.

According to the sources, detectives suspected that Erobe was murdered earlier than her father’s home was set ablaze in an obvious try to destroy proof of the crime.

The sources additional disclosed that two residents, together with one Seun Igbamerun, allegedly sighted the suspect fleeing from the scene with a five-litre keg containing some petrol shortly after the hearth began.

One of the police sources stated, “There was a lady named Igbagbo Erobe, a resident of Igbo Edu within the Abigi space of Ogun Waterside. The girl and the suspect, Madarikan Emehinola, had been lovers for about two years.

“Early this yr, the girl deserted him and began a brand new relationship with one other man. On October 18, 2026, the person allegedly went to Igbo Edu at about 1am with petrol inside a five-litre keg to kill the girl.

“After allegedly killing her, he set her father’s house on fire. One Seun Igbamerun and another person reportedly saw him running away with the keg of petrol while the house was burning.”

The supply defined that the witnesses raised the alarm and alerted the girl’s kinfolk and safety businesses within the space, prompting a seek for the fleeing suspect.

“Some security personnel in a nearby community reportedly sighted him at a junction. Following inquiries, they discovered that he was the person being sought. He was arrested with the remaining petrol in the keg and subsequently handed over to the police at Abigi Divisional Police Station,” the supply added.

It was additional gathered that safety operatives allegedly found bloodstains suspected to be related with the violent incident on the petrol container recovered from the suspect.

The suspect, nonetheless, gave a unique account of his relationship with the deceased, insisting that he had no motive to assault her.

Narrating his aspect of the story, Emehinola stated he and the deceased had been dwelling collectively till January 2026, when she knowledgeable him that she wished to return to her hometown in Ogun State for work.

“She was my spouse, and we had been dwelling collectively till January this yr, when she informed me that she wished to return residence to work. We had been each dwelling in Ondo State, however the place was not too removed from her hometown in Ogun State.

“Since she returned home to work, I had been visiting her in Igbo Edu. There was a time I spent four days with her. I had been spending between four and seven days at her place since she returned to Ogun State,” he stated.

The suspect, nonetheless, claimed that the connection took a unique flip round June when the deceased allegedly referred to as him and requested him to cease visiting her.

“One day in June, she referred to as me and warned me to not come to Igbo Edu once more. She informed me that she had a brand new husband and was now not considering me. I used to be stunned as a result of we had no disagreement, however I didn’t say something.

“One of my buddies, who lives in Igbo Edu, additionally referred to as me and stated my spouse had a brand new husband and that I mustn’t come to the place once more.

“Since that day, I made up my mind not to go there again, and I have not gone there. I was surprised when I was accused of going to Igbo Edu to set her father’s house on fire,” he claimed.

Emehinola additionally denied that the petrol container present in his possession had something to do with the incident, claiming that he had gone to a market to promote his items and meant to buy petrol for his boat engine.

“I used to be arrested at Obi Market through the polling day, round 3am. A motorcyclist took me to the market. I had gone there to promote. I usually go to the market to promote cassava, fishing nets, firewood and different issues at completely different markets within the space.

“I wanted to use the keg to buy petrol for my engine boat after selling at the market. I did not know that my father-in-law’s house had been burnt until I was arrested and taken to Igbo Edu,” he stated.

The suspect’s account, nonetheless, differs from the allegations made by the police sources and the accounts of the witnesses who reportedly recognized him fleeing from the scene.

Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, condemned the killing and warranted the household of the deceased that the command would pursue the investigation to a logical conclusion.

Babaseyi stated the Commissioner of Police, CP Olubode Ojajuni, remained dedicated to ridding the state of legal parts and guaranteeing that perpetrators of violent crimes had been delivered to justice.

“The Ogun State Police Command strongly condemns this tragic incident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. Investigation is ongoing, and we assure the public that every effort will be made to establish the facts and ensure that justice is served,” he stated.

As investigations proceed, the killing has left six kids with out their mom, whereas questions stay over the circumstances surrounding the lethal breakdown of a relationship that reportedly lasted two years.

For the household of Erobe, the fast concern shouldn’t be solely the lack of a mom but additionally the necessity to set up what occurred within the early hours of October 18 and be sure that anybody discovered accountable is held accountable.