In a shocking and tragic incident in Ondo State, an 86-year-old woman has succumbed to her injuries after being set on fire by her own daughter. The horrific event unfolded in their home located opposite the Anglican Cathedral Church in Surulere, Ondo City.
The 45-year-old daughter, identified as Abiodun, also known as Iya Sunday, committed the unthinkable act due to her belief that her mother was the source of her spiritual problems. This belief, reportedly fueled by the words of a pastor and another woman, led to the brutal attack that has left the community in shock and mourning.
The tragic events began in the early hours of the morning. According to reports, Abiodun visited her mother’s house around 4 a.m. She sat outside the house, filled with thoughts of the accusations that had been haunting her. At approximately 5 a.m., she called her mother out of the house. The elderly woman, unaware of the impending danger, stepped outside to meet her daughter.
In a horrifying turn of events, Abiodun doused her mother with petrol and set her alight. The elderly woman’s screams pierced the early morning silence, alerting neighbors who rushed to the scene. Despite their efforts to extinguish the flames and save her, the severe burns proved fatal. She was quickly taken to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The underlying reason for this tragic incident lies in Abiodun’s deep-seated belief that her mother was practicing witchcraft against her. Abiodun’s claims were based on the words of a pastor she had visited for prayers. The pastor told her that her mother was the root cause of all her problems. Initially skeptical, Abiodun’s fears were further confirmed when her mother took her to another woman, who echoed the pastor’s words.
“I went to my mother’s house around 4 a.m. and sat outside. When it was 5 a.m., I called out my mother from the house. Immediately after she came out, not knowing what was happening, I poured petrol on her and set her on fire,” Abiodun confessed after her arrest. “What caused this is that I went to one pastor for prayer and he told me that my mother was behind what was happening to me. I did not believe it at first. My mother also took me somewhere to see one woman. After my mother left, the woman also said the same thing. I burnt my mother because of what I heard from the pastor and the woman, that I can only be free from bondage when my mother is dead.”
The gruesome act has left the local community in Ondo City reeling. Neighbors and friends of the family are struggling to come to terms with the reality of what happened. Many described the elderly woman as kind-hearted and peaceful, expressing disbelief that she could be accused of such malevolent actions.
One neighbor, Mrs. Folake Ade, recounted the scene: “I woke up to the sound of screams. When I rushed out, I saw Mama (the victim) on fire and Abiodun standing there with a blank look on her face. We tried to put out the flames, but it was too late. This is a very sad day for all of us.”
Following the incident, the police were promptly called to the scene. Abiodun was arrested and taken into custody. Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the tragic event and stated that an investigation is ongoing.
“This is a very tragic and disturbing incident. The 86-year-old woman died in the hospital from the burns she sustained. The suspect, Abiodun, has been arrested, and we are conducting a thorough investigation to understand all the circumstances leading up to this event,” Odunlami-Omisanya said.
As the investigation continues, there are growing calls for justice from the community. Many are demanding that Abiodun face the full weight of the law for her actions. The case has also sparked a wider conversation about the dangers of superstitions and the influence of unscrupulous religious leaders who exploit people’s fears for their gain.
Local leaders and community activists are urging authorities to address the issue of harmful superstitions and to regulate the activities of religious leaders who may be spreading dangerous beliefs.
Victoria Ibiama
