Tragedy struck as a 45-year-old woman, Abiodun, popularly called “Iya Sunday,” burnt her 86-year-old mother with petrol, allegedly believing her mother was behind her predicament.
The incident happened on Friday at Surulere, opposite Anglican Cathedral Church in the Ondo West local government area of Ondo State.
It was gathered that the victim, whose name is yet to be confirmed, sustained burns from head to toe and is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
According to an eyewitness, Sola Oladele, the suspect came to the house on Friday around 5 a.m. and called out her mother before pouring petrol on her and set her on fire.
He said, “What happened between them before the incident we don’t know, but the suspect has been arrested by police at the Enu-Owa division for further investigation.”
The suspect, Abiodun, said she did it because she was told that her mother was behind her predicament.
She explained, “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 body and set her on fire.
“What started it is that I went to one pastor for prayer, and he told me that my mother is behind what is 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,” she explained.
The Enu-Owa police confirmed the incident and said the case would be transferred to Akure for further investigation.
