Kogi Police Arrest Man After Wife Is Allegedly Set Ablaze During Domestic Dispute

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Jacob Irewa following an alleged attack on his wife during a domestic dispute in Lokoja.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m. at Oworo Estate, Felele, according to the police.

The victim, identified as Berida Irawo, survived the incident and is currently receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele.

Police Arrest Suspect at Scene

According to the Kogi State Police Command, officers attached to the B Division Surveillance Team in Felele responded to a distress report concerning the incident and arrested the suspect.

Police spokesperson ASP Afusat Saliu said preliminary investigations indicated that the disagreement began after the victim reportedly burnt some of her husband's clothes without his permission.

The disagreement allegedly escalated after the suspect threatened his wife before obtaining petrol from his motorcycle and setting her on fire.

Police said the suspect subsequently gave a statement to investigators in which he allegedly admitted to setting his wife ablaze.

The command said, however, that investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and gather further evidence.

Victim Receiving Medical Treatment

The victim survived the attack and was taken to Honey Gold Hospital in Felele for treatment.

Authorities have not publicly provided a detailed medical report on the extent of her injuries.

Reports from multiple Nigerian news outlets confirm that she remains alive and is receiving medical attention.

The police have not described the victim's current condition in detail.

Police Condemn Alleged Attack

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, condemned the incident and described violence within domestic relationships as unacceptable.

The command urged residents experiencing disagreements to seek lawful and peaceful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence.

Police also encouraged members of the public to report cases of domestic violence promptly so that authorities can intervene before disagreements escalate.

Investigation Continues

The suspect remains in police custody while investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police said Irewa is expected to face prosecution for alleged attempted culpable homicide after the investigation is concluded.

That means the allegation has not yet been determined by a court. The suspect remains entitled to due process, and the final legal outcome will depend on the evidence presented during any subsequent proceedings.

A Wider Concern About Domestic Violence

The incident has also renewed attention on the importance of addressing domestic disagreements without violence.

Domestic disputes can escalate quickly when threats or physical violence become involved. Authorities and advocacy groups routinely encourage people experiencing abuse or immediate danger to seek help from law enforcement and appropriate support services.

For residents of Lokoja, the immediate focus in this case remains the recovery of the injured woman and the outcome of the police investigation.

As the investigation continues, the police are expected to establish the full sequence of events and determine the appropriate charges based on the evidence gathered.

Sources

• Premium Times — report on the police arrest and investigation.

• The PUNCH — report on the domestic dispute, alleged attack and victim's treatment.

• The Vanguard — report identifying the suspect and location of the incident.

• The Guild — report on the police investigation and planned prosecution.

• Kogi Reports — police statement and details of the reported incident.