The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a man, Lawal Faruq, who allegedly set fire to his ex-lover after their relationship went sour.
The incident happened at a military barracks in Ibadan, the state capital.
A counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who shared details of the incident on X, disclosed that the suspect claimed he and the victim had taken an oath never to separate.
However, the suspect was said to have become enraged after the romantic relationship between the duo broke down.
Enraged by the situation, the suspect allegedly doused the victim with petrol before setting her ablaze.
Following the incident, military personnel at the barracks reportedly rescued the victim and rushed her to a hospital before arresting the suspect.
Makama wrote, “The victim, Omolola Hassan, was reportedly doused with petrol and set on fire by the suspect, who was said to have been angered over the breakdown of their relationship.
“According to witnesses, military personnel at the barracks quickly intervened and extinguished the fire before rushing the victim to Yawiri Hospital, Akobo, for medical treatment.
“The suspect, who claimed that both had taken an oath never to separate, is currently in custody.”
When reacting to an enquiry posed by our correspondent via the telephone on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident.
Osifeso noted that an investigation was ongoing into the case.
“Investigation is ongoing,” Osifeso said in a terse message sent to our correspondent.
Cases of violence arising from failed romantic relationships have become increasingly frequent in Nigeria.
PUNCH Metro reported in July 2025 that a Uniport student, Cynthia Chukwundah, set her lover on fire during a heated argument over a pregnancy dispute. The victim later died from the injuries.
Similarly, in January 2023, PUNCH Metro reported that a middle-aged man strangled and then set his lover ablaze over infidelity accusations in Rivers State.
Also, PUNCH Metro reported in April 2023 that a 43-year-old man was arrested in Ogun State for setting the apartment of his ex-lover ablaze when she refused to reconcile.
Such cases reflect a broader pattern of domestic violence in Nigeria, often driven by emotional, psychological, and economic stressors.
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