A 24-year-old man, identified as Arinze Igbonakwu, has been declared wanted for allegedly setting his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend, her newborn baby, and three others ablaze over paternity fraud in Ogun State.
It was gathered that the unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday morning, September 5, 2023, in Okun Owa, Odogbolu LGA of the state.
According to the report, “Esther and Arinze were dating when she fell pregnant. Arinze took care of her and shouldered all the financial responsibility until she gave birth sometime last month. It was Arinze who paid all the hospital bills.
“However, a few days after she put to birth, another guy, named Seun, surfaced and laid claim to the child. While they were trying to resolve the issue, Esther packed her bags and moved in with Seun. She also confirmed Seun is the biological father of her child.
“Police were involved and Arinze said he would collect the sum of N300k as compensation but Seun said he would only pay N150k and that he was going to pay it in instalments, N20k monthly.
“The matter was settled at the police station but apparently, Arinze wasn’t happy with the arrangement. He started threatening to kill the girl.
“Fast forward, Esther went to sleep in the neighbour’s room with the baby because Seun wasn’t home and she was scared that Arinze might break in to harm her.
“Sadly, Arinze broke into the neighbour’s apartment and poured about 10 litres of petrol on Esther, the newborn baby, the neighbour and her two children and set them ablaze.”
They were rushed to Babcock Hospital in IIesan and later transferred to Gbobi Hospital in Lagos.
The newborn baby died on the spot, while Esther died at the hospital. The neighbour and her two children are currently battling for their lives. They are said to be in critical condition. The suspect is currently on the run.
