A tragic incident has rocked Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, where a woman identified as Mbayegh allegedly set her lover’s house on fire, leading to the death of his two young daughters.
The heartbreaking incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam.
According to community sources, the suspect had visited the home of her lover, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, but he allegedly refused to allow her stay and asked her to leave.
The woman reportedly became upset and refused to leave the premises, allegedly suspecting that another woman was inside the house.
Sources said the children’s mother had travelled to a village in Taraba State for farming activities, while their father locked his two daughters inside a round hut before retiring to another hut.
The situation allegedly turned tragic at about midnight when the suspect set the hut where the children were sleeping on fire.
Despite efforts by neighbours to rescue the girls and rush them to the hospital, both children later died from their injuries.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the children’s father reported that someone set his house ablaze.
“Neighbours tried to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital. Tragically, they died while receiving treatment,” Edet said.
The police spokesperson added that a suspect has been arrested, while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
