A 30-year-old man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his pregnant wife, Olajumoke, and setting her body on fire at their home in Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The couple, who had been married for only three months, became embroiled in a heated argument on Friday at around 1 p.m., which tragically escalated into violence.
According to reports, Olaniyi accused his six-month-pregnant wife of infidelity, claiming that his brother was the father of the child she was carrying.
Despite her denial, tensions had been brewing between the couple for some time.
Neighbours revealed that this was not the first time Olaniyi had attacked his wife.
One neighbour, who spoke to Vanguard under anonymity, said, “They did their traditional marriage three months ago when Jumoke was three months pregnant. Then, all of a sudden, problems started. He was accusing his wife of being promiscuous. He said the pregnancy she was carrying was not his, but his younger brother’s.”
Earlier that week, in an alarming incident witnessed by her mother, Olaniyi had attacked Jumoke.
“She (Jumoke’s mother) took him to church for deliverance prayers because they suspected he was possessed and needed deliverance. This second attack happened after Jumoke’s mother left,” the neighbour added.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin, said, “On Friday, October 4, a distress call was received at the Ikorodu division that Olaniyi and his 25-year-old wife, Olajumoke, allegedly engaged in a domestic scuffle in their apartment. In the process, the husband stabbed the wife to death, locked her in the room, and set it ablaze, while he inflicted wounds on himself.”
Police detectives were dispatched to the scene, where they managed to extinguish the fire.
They found Olajumoke’s lifeless body with stab wounds on her abdomen. Olaniyi, who had also inflicted mild wounds on himself, was rescued, treated at a nearby hospital, and later taken into custody.
SP Benjamin added, “Upon interrogation, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect stabbed his wife during an altercation between them and gave himself mild stabs. Meanwhile, the corpse has been deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Investigation is in progress.”
