By Ademola Ade
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, in connection with a suspected arson incident that claimed the life of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, involved a house that was allegedly set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.
The police said the suspect had been taken into custody as investigations continued to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the statement, “the Ogun State Police Command has a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, in custody in connection with a suspected arson incident that claimed the life of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe.”
The command said the deceased’s body had been deposited at a mortuary for a post-mortem examination to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
It added that the case was being processed for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over domestic violence and the safety of victims in domestic settings, although the police have yet to establish publicly the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and handled in accordance with the law.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, assures the public that the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
Ojajuni also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that allegations of serious crimes would receive appropriate investigative attention.
The police urged members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that could assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations.
As of the time of filing this report, the command had not released further details about the alleged incident or disclosed what may have led to the fire.
The suspect’s arrest does not establish guilt. The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain subject to police investigation, while the post-mortem examination is expected to provide further evidence regarding the cause of death.
