The Police Command in Benue, on Sunday, said that a middle-aged man, simply identified as Nicodemus, has set himself and his girlfriend ablaze in Makurdi.
The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Catherine Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that Nicodemus died on the spot, while the girlfriend, also identified as Shiminenge, died later at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
Anene explained that Nicodemus committed the act at his girlfriend’s residence on Inkipi Street, High-Level area of Makurdi on Saturday evening.
She said that an argument had ensued between them, adding, however, that the cause of the argument was unknown.
She said that Nicodemus had locked himself and the lady in her room before setting the room ablaze.
“According to an eyewitness, there was an argument between them which we are yet to find out.
“We understand that Nicodemus, while coming to Shiminenge’s house, came along with fuel.
“He used the fuel to set himself and the lady ablaze after locking the house from inside,” the police spokesperson said.
A neighbour of Shiminenge told NAN correspondent that Nicodemus had abandoned his wife and kids for the lady and that trouble ensued when the lady told him of her plan to marry someone else.
“Nicodemus was not happy with the lady over her decision to leave him for another man.
“He had earlier abandoned his wife and kids for Shiminenge. So, he couldn’t bear the disappointment,” the neighbor, who preferred anonymity, said.
More facts emerged Sunday evening as to why 40- year-old man Nicodemus Nomyange set himself and his girlfriend Shininenge Pam ablaze.
It was learnt Nomyange, who is married with children, proposed to marry Pam, who sources said turned him down on the basis that she preferred to marry a single and not married man.
The rebuttal hurt Nomyange, who proceeded to her apartment on Saturday evening and set it ablaze after locking everyone in.
The estranged lovers got burnt despite efforts to save them by neighbours.
While Nomyange died at the spot, Pam later died on her way to the hospital.
Benue Police spokeperson Kate Anene confirmed the incident.
Source: NAN
