In Yobe State, a nine-year-old boy has burned four family members to death after his father reprimanded him for stealing.
The deceased, two stepmothers and two sisters, were killed after the teen set the family house ablaze. The deceased are identified as 28-year-old Bilkisu Bukar, her co-wife Salma, 22, and Bilkisu’s young children: eight-month-old Zainab and three-year-old Hafsat. The boy’s mother was not living with the family.
The incident occurred on August 21, 2026, at Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of the State.
The Yobe State Police Command confirmed the tragic incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Ali, on Wednesday.
According to the police, the Karasuwa Divisional Headquarters received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at the residence of one Abubakar Ìdí. The victims were trapped inside and were burnt beyond recognition and subsequently buried at the Rugar Audu Badali cemetery according to Islamic rites.
“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 subsequently revealed that Idi’s nine-year-old son had allegedly started the fire.
According to the police, the child confessed to setting the house on fire and killing his family members in the process, claiming his action was in retaliation for his father allegedly beating him 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 inferno reportedly killed two wives and two daughters of Idi, who were inside the house when the fire broke out.
The police said the investigation had reached its final stage and that they would present the child to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal proceedings.
It stated that the process would be handled “in accordance with applicable laws governing children in conflict with the law.”
The Commissioner of Police commended the VCRU operatives for their diligence and professionalism in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Jibrin also directed that all necessary legal and child-protection procedures be strictly observed throughout the process.
The command condoled with the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to pay close attention to the welfare, behaviour and emotional wellbeing of children under their care.
