From Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Yobe State Police Command has said a nine-year-old boy allegedly set his family home ablaze in Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement, Karasuwa Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of four relatives.
The police said the child allegedly admitted to setting the house on fire in retaliation after his father beat him a day earlier for stealing a chicken.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu Ali, the incident occurred on August 21, 2026, after the Karasuwa Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at the residence of Abubakar Idi.
Four members of the family—two wives and two daughters of Idi—were trapped inside the house and sustained fatal burns.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, directed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The outcome of the investigation, according to the police, established that the fire was allegedly started by the nine-year-old son of the homeowner.
The command said the investigation was at its concluding stage, after which the child would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal proceedings in accordance with laws governing children in conflict with the law.
The Commissioner of Police commended the VCRU operatives for their diligence and professionalism in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He also directed that all necessary legal and child-protection procedures be strictly followed throughout the process.
The command expressed condolences to the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to pay close attention to the welfare, behaviour and emotional wellbeing of children under their care.
It also urged members of the public to promptly report situations that could pose a threat to lives, property or the wellbeing of children to the police or other relevant authorities.
