The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a housewife, identified as Esther Alison Ibiwari, for setting her house ablaze following a physical assault on her by her husband in Rumuolu community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Fact surrounding the quarrel between the couple is still unclear but a neighbour confirmed thwy had a heated argument on Tuesday.
According to the eyewitness, the woman set the building on fire as an act of retaliation towards her husband who reportedly beat her.
The eyewitness said the detachment of the building which was destroyed by the fire belonged to her husband, adding that the incident rendered some tenants homeless.
Some tenants in the building were said to have rushed out and tried to save it but could not as it was too late.
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He stated, “The man and his wife had a little issue yesterday which resulted in him beating the woman.
“He went in, wore his clothes and went out. So the woman went inside the house and brought out her own clothes outside. She then went to buy kerosene and set fire to the man’s clothes inside the house.
“That was how the fire started. It escalated and burnt down several rooms. Some of the apartments affected are occupied by tenants.
“Most of their properties were burnt. I believe some of them don’t have where to stay now. We don’t know the whereabouts of the woman. But I heard she has been arrested.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying the woman had been arrested.
“Yes, I can confirm it. The woman has been arrested and the matter was transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department.
“And the investigation is ongoing,” she stated.