When Mrs Comfort Jiya entered her kitchen in her Minna, Niger State, home to prepare a dish, she never knew it was going to be her last activity on earth. She never knew that her own son, 39-year-old Stephen, had a terrible plan towards her.
Indeed, unknown to her, Stephen had bought some petrol in Suleja before heading for Minna. His sole aim was to pour it on the mum, and set her ablaze. This exactly is what he did, meeting her right inside the kitchen, pouring the PMS on her and setting her ablaze.
Parading the suspect, the Niger State Police Command said the deceased was a former Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse; and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna.
The command said the tragedy occurred on December 29, 2021.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Thursday, January 6, 2022, said the suspect confessed to the crime claiming that his mother usually intruded into his marital affairs.
Abiodun said, “Earlier on 20/12/2021 at about 2030hrs, Police operatives attached to GRA Division arrested one Stephen Jiya aged 39yrs ‘m’ of Niger motel area of Suleja,” the PPRO stated.
“The suspect was arrested at Darusalam, Minna for the offence of culpable homicide of his mother; one Mrs Comfort Jiya aged 61yrs (deceased) ‘f’ of Darusalam, Minna.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and claimed that on 19/12/2021, he had misunderstanding with his wife at his home in Suleja which attracted intervention of neighbours and the issue was laid to rest while he left to work. On his return from work, he discovered that his wife had left home to Minna without his consent
“He confessed further that he left Suleja to Minna on 20/12/2021 with a plastic bottle of premium motor spirit (pms) and went to the family house where he met his mother cooking in the kitchen,
“The suspect sprayed the deceased with the pms in his possession and set her ablaze because she usually intrudes into his marital affairs, thereby suspected her for his wife’s disappearance from home
“The outcry of the deceased and the flame attracted neighbours who rushed her to General hospital Minna and she was later referred to another medical facility where she later gave up the ghost. Suspect has been arraigned in court for prosecution.
“The Command therefore wishes to advise parents/guardian to closely monitor their wards against influence of bad peers and use of hard drugs which always have strong connection to crime.”
