A woman, Maryam Muhammad, has been arrested by the Kano State Police Command for allegedly setting her husband, co-wife and two children ablaze in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.
The incident, which occurred late Monday night at Mai Allo area of Hotoro quarters, left four persons with severe burns and sparked outrage among residents of the community.
The victims were identified as Firdausi Musa, 28, her two children, Khadija Ya’u, 7, and Ismail Ya’u, 3, as well as her husband, Malam Saminu, who reportedly sustained injuries while trying to rescue them from the inferno.
The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, and Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano.
Family sources alleged that the suspect poured petrol on the victims before setting them on fire following a domestic dispute.
Speaking on the incident, younger brother to Firdausi, Buhari Musa Sa’ad, said the family received a distress call around 3am informing them that his sister, her husband and the two children had been attacked.
According to him, Firdausi had spent less than two weeks in the matrimonial home before the incident occurred.
“She is about 28 years old. The children who sustained burns are from her previous marriage. They are stepchildren to the husband, who works as a commercial tricycle rider,” he said.
A relative of the victim, Rukayya, said Firdausi had earlier complained of threats and intimidation from the co-wife prior to the attack.
“We were here when she was brought in, and she told us herself that it was her co-wife who poured petrol on her and lit a match,” she said.
Rukayya further disclosed that the victim had temporarily left the house earlier due to repeated threats but later returned after intervention by her husband.
Meanwhile, the suspect is currently being detained at the Mariri Police Division in Kano.
