A 47-year-old vulcaniser, Saheed Ganiyu, has been arrested by the Utako Division of FCT Police Command for allegedly setting girlfriend identified as Esther, on fire following a disagreement.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh who confirmed the incident, said Ganiyu, an indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, reportedly poured petrol on the 32-year-old Esther and used a lighter to set her ablaze during a quarrel.
Adeh said the incident which happened on December 29, 2024, at about 10:15 pm, was reported to the police via a distress call made to the FCT Police Command Control Room that there was a problem at Jabi Motor Park.
“The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, immediately dispatched a patrol team to the scene from Utako Division, and on getting there, the police operatives met a large crowd,” she said in a statement.
“In the midst of the crowd was the suspect, already beaten to stupor, and his girlfriend, Esther, who had severe burns.
“Saheed Ganiyu was rescued by the police and the two of them were immediately evacuated and taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention and treatment. By then, the lady was said to have become unconscious.
“Enquiries by the police at the scene revealed that the suspect and his girlfriend were in a hot argument that led to pulling and dragging each other within the motor park.
“The suspect, who had a plastic bottle containing about a half litre of petrol was alleged to have poured the combustible liquid on the girlfriend and ignited fire with his lighter.
“She was immediately engulfed in flame, and people rushed to help her extinguish it. By then, however, she had suffered severe burns.
“Infuriated by the act, the mob descended on him and would have been lynched but for the timely arrival of the police. He was discharged on December 31 and taken to the police station while Esther is still receiving treatment,” the police spokesperson said.
But in an interview with newsmen, Ganiyu denied deliberately setting Esther on fire, claiming what happened was a mistake. Expressing his love for the victim, he explained that the fire resulted from the cigarette he was trying to light but unknown to him, that petrol from the bottle he put in his armpit had dripped on his girlfriend’s dress when they struggled with each other while he was trying to stop her from drinking alcohol.
He said that the lady was trying to retaliate his displeasure with the way she was addicted to alcohol which led to the scuffle.
”I came to stay in Abuja in 2008. Esther is my girlfriend, and I love her so much. We started dating in February 2024.
“Esther is a lady who used to help me a lot. She would come to my business stand every morning and clean everywhere. She would also put my vulcanising machine at the appropriate place.
“On Sunday, December 29, she told me that she was going to church and I gave her N200 as offering. I also gave her N2,500 to buy something that we could eat on her return.
“I expected her return from church and waited at my stand but didn’t see her. Before that day, she had asked me for clothes and shoes she would wear at the new year, so I put the money I made together and went to buy a shirt and a pair of shoes for her at the cost of N30,000 before her return. I planned buying the jeans she would wear with the shirt before the New Year.
“At about 6 pm, I closed from my stand and went to the side I used to stay for night work. To my displeasure, I saw my girl where ogogoro (alcohol) was being sold. She was taking the one named ‘yahoo.’
‘I called her and asked why she did that again when she told me that she was going to church as she had changed from being alcoholic.
“I tried to collect the bottle from her and she was dragging it with me. I collected it and threw it away. I went to the place I was doing night job and called her several times to go and help buy petrol that I would use, but she didn’t respond. She still stayed where alcohol was being sold. I went to buy the petrol myself, just half a litre.
“When I returned, I saw her holding another bottle of alcohol. I held her from the back and tried to snatch the bottle from her. I didn’t know that the cover of the petrol bottle I held in my armpit was twisting and turning.
“I continued dragging the alcohol bottle she held. I pushed her and she pushed me back, making the fuel bottle to fall. She was pouring vituperation on me but I left the place.
“I went to buy cigarette, and as I was smoking the first one, Esther came and removed it from my mouth. As I put the second one and wanted to light it, Esther came to me again. Then I heard something like an explosion. Then I saw her body on fire. I didn’t know that the fuel that had initially dripped had soaked her dress.
“Esther is my love that I don’t joke with. If she went out to buy something and didn’t return in good time, I would be so concerned. I love her so much that I would not eat if she had not eaten.
“I used to make her eat first. She can be asked if I’m lying. I didn’t like her to be troubled, especially because of the leg deformity she has. On December 23, I sustained this injury (showing it) because of her. One Aboki taunted her deformity by calling her Gurugu (someone limping) and I was so furious.
“I noticed she was addicted to alcohol after we started dating. I corrected her many times but she always flared up. She was drinking Bull, Yahoo, Igboya, among other alcoholic drinks. Though I also take, I don’t like such a thing for a woman.
“And I don’t take it while at work. I don’t take any drugs, only cigarettes. She was also always taking Tramadol, telling me that her leg was paining her.
“I didn’t pour petrol on her. It was the devil that turned things this way. Since she was hospitalized, despite my own condition as a result of much beating, I have not felt well. I know that my life has been destroyed.
“I appeal that I should be allowed to see her. I’m ready to marry her. Though I’m a Muslim, I want her to be going to church so that she can be transformed positively. She was already changing at a time when she started attending church,” Gainyu who is a divorcee with three grown children said.
Also speaking on the incident, CP Disu stressed the need for controlled anger, advising members of the public to always exercise patience and seek peace whenever there is disagreement, so as to avoid unexpected negative results.
He however, added that the suspect would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigation.
