Kogi State Police arrest man for allegedly setting wife ablaze

domestic violence Kogi State attempted culpable homicide Lokoja gender-based violence

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested 33-year-old Jacob Irewa for allegedly setting his wife, Berida Irawo, on fire during a domestic dispute in Lokoja. The incident occurred on August 14, 2026, at Oworo Estate, Felele.

According to police investigations, the altercation began after Mrs. Irawo burnt several of her husband’s clothes without his permission, believing they were no longer in use. The suspect allegedly threatened his wife, siphoned petrol from his motorcycle, and set her ablaze. Irewa, who is described as a teacher and an ordained pastor, reportedly admitted to the act during police interrogation.

The victim survived the attack and is receiving medical treatment at Honey Gold Hospital in Felele. The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, condemned the act as “barbaric and unacceptable,” stating that the command has zero tolerance for domestic violence. The suspect faces charges of attempted culpable homicide.

The Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI) has also weighed in, condemning the incident as a “serious violation of human dignity” and calling for the protection of the survivor and diligent prosecution of the case.

Entities

Berida Irawo · Challenged Parenthood Initiative · Honey Gold Hospital · Jacob Irewa · Kogi State Police Command · Lokoja · Naziru Bello Kankarofi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The suspect will face prosecution for attempted culpable homicide following the investigation. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The suspect allegedly used petrol from his motorcycle to set his wife on fire. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Jacob Irewa was arrested for allegedly attempting to set his wife ablaze. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Oworo Estate, Felele, Lokoja. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Jacob Irewa admitted to setting his wife on fire during police interrogation. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The victim, Berida Irawo, survived and is receiving medical treatment at Honey Gold Hospital. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The attack followed a domestic dispute triggered by the victim burning the suspect's clothes without his permission. chronicle.ng · thewhistler.ng · tribuneonlineng.com · punchng.com