A middle-aged woman identified as Mbayegh has been accused of setting ablaze the two daughters of her lover following a disagreement in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam.
According to community sources, Mbayegh had gone to the residence of her lover, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, and allegedly pleaded to spend the night.
However, Ierkwagh reportedly refused her request and insisted that she leave, but she refused to do so.
A local source revealed that the woman refused to leave suspecting that another woman was inside the house.
The source further explained that Ierkwagh’s wife was away in Taraba State for farming activities. He was said to have secured his two daughters inside a round hut before retiring to another hut for the night.
According to the source, the suspect allegedly set the hut where the children were sleeping on fire around midnight, believing another woman was inside. The two girls were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the children’s father reported the case to the police.
Edet said the police could not immediately confirm whether the incident stemmed from a lovers’ quarrel, noting that the report received indicated only that someone had set the man’s house ablaze.
She added that neighbours attempted to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment.
The police spokesperson confirmed that a suspect has been arrested and that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
