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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
There was grief and confusion in Ukum Local Government, Benue State following the death of two teenage girls in a fire allegedly set by their father’s lover after a relationship dispute.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026.
According to reports, a woman identified as Mbayegh visited her lover, Aondoyima Ierkwagh, at his residence on Monday night with the intention of spending time with him.
However, it was gathered that Ierkwagh refused to admit her into the house and asked her to leave.
Witnesses said Mbayegh refused to leave, suspecting that another woman was inside with him. His refusal to let her in reportedly heightened her suspicion and anger.
Ierkwagh was said to have locked his two daughters in a round hut where they were to sleep before retiring to another hut within the compound.
Reports indicated that at about midnight, Mbayegh, still believing another woman was inside the hut with her lover, allegedly set the hut ablaze. Unknown to her, the two girls were asleep inside. They were burnt beyond recognition.
Witnesses said one of the girls died instantly, while the other was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
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The girls’ father, Ierkwagh, is from Tsehe settlement in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, but currently resides at his maternal home in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area.
It was gathered that at the time of the incident, the girls’ mother was in Taraba State for farming activities.
The suspect, Mbayegh, said to be an indigene of Buruku Local Government Area, has been arrested by the police and is currently undergoing interrogation.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command was still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“I don’t really know if it was a lovers’ quarrel that led to the incident, but what we got from the father of the girls, who reported the matter to the police, was that someone set his house on fire.
“He said neighbours tried to rescue the girls and rushed them to the hospital. Tragically, they died while receiving treatment. So I can’t say whether it was a lovers’ quarrel,” she said.
Edet added that one suspect had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing.
