A man identified as Ponle Adebanjo has allegedly burnt his estranged wife to death after she left him over domestic violence.

The victim identified as Lateefat was reportedly burnt to death on Saturday in the Otun-Akute area of Ogun State by her estranged husband.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

Oyeyemi noted that the husband had been arrested since Saturday after the neighbours of the victim reported the incident.

The statement read, “The suspect was arrested on Saturday after concerned neighbours reported the incident to the police at the Otun-Akute division.

“The estranged husband, Ponle, was reported to have told many people in the area that the wife had no right to live alone and vowed that no other man would be with her, after she left him due to physical abuse.

“The couple was married for three years and resided in Otun-’Akute, until the woman, Lateefat, decided to leave him when she could no longer cope with the abuse. Mr Ponle was said to have gone to the residence of his ex-wife and threatened to kill her if she did not return to his house.

“Their neighbours explained that the man was fond of beating the woman, at times almost to a point of death. Their fights were said to have become a community matter as the woman was hospitalised on many occasions until she decided to pack out of his house, a month ago when she rented an apartment on the same street.

“Mr Ponle was said to have stalked the deceased’s movement to carry out his assault despite her avoiding him on many occasions and on Thursday last week, he went to her house and threatened to burn her alive but she managed to run away.

“Mr. Ponle went back to the victim’s house on Saturday night and met her praying. He poured petrol on her in the room and set her ablaze but the woman managed to grab him to ensure they burned together until people intervened. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where the woman was confirmed dead,” he said.

The PPRO further said the suspect had confessed and would be charged to court.

“The suspect was handed over to the police and has confessed to the crime. He will be charged to court once he has recovered from his wounds.” (Courtesy, excluding headline, The PUNCH)

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