Four members of a family have died after a fire allegedly started by a nine-year-old boy destroyed their home in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The victims were the boy’s two stepmothers and two sisters, who were trapped inside the house when the incident occurred on August 21, 2026, at Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement.
The Yobe State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Ali.
According to the command, the Karasuwa Divisional Headquarters received a distress call about a fire at the residence of Abubakar Idi.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Unman Jibrin, subsequently directed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to investigate the incident and determine the cause of the fire.
“Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, CP Unman Jibrin, directed the Violent Crime Response Unit to conduct a discreet and thorough investigation to establish the actual cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement partly read.
The police said the investigation allegedly revealed that Idi’s nine-year-old son started the fire.
The command said the boy reportedly admitted to setting the house on fire, explaining that he did so in retaliation after his father allegedly beat him a day earlier for stealing a chicken.
“The outcome of the investigation revealed that the fire was allegedly ignited by a 9-year-old son of the owner of the house. During the investigation, the child reportedly admitted to setting the house on fire, stating that he did so in retaliation after his father allegedly beat him a day earlier for stealing his chicken,” the statement added.
The blaze killed Idi’s two wives and two daughters, who were inside the house at the time.
The police said the investigation was at its concluding stage and that the boy would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal proceedings.
It added that the case would be handled in accordance with laws governing children in conflict with the law.
Jibrin commended the VCRU operatives for their diligence and professionalism in investigating the incident. He also directed that all legal and child-protection procedures be followed throughout the process.
The command expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to pay close attention to the welfare, behaviour and emotional wellbeing of children in their care.
It also called on members of the public to promptly report situations that could endanger lives, property or the wellbeing of children to the police or other relevant authorities.
