Woman sets co-wife ablaze

TRAGEDY struck on Monday at Akpoha community in Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State as a woman (names withheld) allegedly set her co-wife ablaze over marital acrimony.

The assailant whose name was identified as Ogeri, has already been arrested by the police.

Explaining the reason for her action, the woman stated that she was surprised and angry to discover that her husband, after all she had contributed towards their livelihood, could have the conscience to bring in another woman into their matrimonial home as her co-wife.

It was gathered that the victim, who hails from Abomege in Onicha LGA of the state, was married on Sunday only to meet her death the next day.

Meanwhile, as a result of the ugly incident, the village had remained in a pensive state as members of the community, especially women, were seen at different spots discussing the incident.

An eyeswitness, who gave his name as Peter Imo, told repoter that the victim was set ablaze by her co-wife around 3.45pm on Monday when she was taking a nap in the afternoon.

He said nobody knew that she (first wife) had made plans on how to kill her co-wife, adding that when she noticed that her co-wife was sleeping on the fateful day, she quickly locked the doors and windows of their apartment and set fire on the building.

He said: “So when we started seeing smoke and someone shouting for help from the building, we rushed and put out the fire from the building, then rescued the woman and took her to a nearby native doctor, only to discover that she was already dead.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Police Command, ASP John Eluu, confirmed the incident, adding that both the first wife and her husband were being interrogated to ascertain the motive behind the killing of the victim.