A Lagos-based businessman, Ogudoro Benjamin, who was arrested for allegedly setting his wife and brother-in-law on fire has blamed the devil for the crime.

The suspect, who pleaded for forgiveness, said he didn’t know what took him over on the day of the incident.

He is now being detained at the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.

The suspect, who was initially arrested by police at Area E Command, FESTAC Town, was said to have set his wife, Chinyere and his brother-in-law, Ifeanyi Edoziem, on fire on Friday at their apartment in Oteyi community, in Amuwo Odofin LGA of Lagos on Friday.

It was learnt that the case was transferred to the homicide section of SCID on the orders of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, who ordered detectives to unravel what transpired before the incident occurred.

The tragic incident has thrown residents of the area into mourning as they alleged that the woman came back from Scotland that same Friday.

The 46-year-old wife died on the sport as a result of burns she sustained, while her brother died moments after reaching the hospital.

But before he died, Ifeanyi told the police that they had a minor domestic quarrel with the suspect who accused them of locking him out.

“We were already asleep when my sister’s husband came in late, banging on the door. He accused me of locking him outside. I told him I didn’t bolt the door, that I only used the key lock and that he could have opened it since he had his keys with him.

“He kept shouting that I locked him out. He insulted me and my sister. But we kept quiet. He left the room, only to return when we had fallen asleep. He poured petrol on us, lit a match and went out.

“We were burning. I managed to escape but couldn’t save my sister. I am fortunate enough to survive”.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect had been transfered to Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba (Daily Trust)

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