Yobe: Boy, 9, ‘sets family house on fire, kills 4’

The Nigeria Police Force, Yobe state command, has taken a nine-year-old boy into custody over allegations that he set a family house on fire in Rugan Badali, Karasuwa Local Government Area (LGA), killing his two stepmothers and two younger brothers.

According to police, the boy had earlier been beaten by his father after being accused of stealing a fowl.

In an interview with Journalists in Damaturu, the suspect allegedly confessed saying he was angry over the beating and wanted revenge.

He said he took one of the family’s fowls to sell, but members of the community, seeing his age, reported him to his father, who flogged him.

The following day, he said, he bought matches worth ₦50 in the neighbourhood and set the house on fire while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep.

The boy said when the fire started, he called for help and people came to rescue them, but he did not admit responsibility until three days later, after prayers.

He then confessed, and police later arrested him and brought him to Damaturu.

ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, the police public relations officer in the state, paraded the suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi.

He said although the suspect is a minor, he would not be released, adding that the case would serve as a deterrent to other children involved in unlawful acts.