Man kills mother over alleged witchcraft, sets house on fire

Mr. Jonathan Igbinomiahie, 36, apparently frustrated with his life has allegedly killed Mrs. Janet Igbinomiahie, his mother aged 75 years, after accusing her of being responsible for his life situation.

The incident happened on May 2 in Obagie in Ehor, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.

Mr. Jonathan was later caught by some youth in the area after he set his mother’s house on fire.

“Jonathan had complained in the past that things were not as rosy as he expected. There was a time he confronted the mother and accused her of witchcraft. He said the woman had been using her power to hinder his progress.” A source said.

“On the day of the incident, Jonathan went to his mother’s apartment and when he discovered that she was alone in the house, he shot her with a dane gun and later used a cutlass to cut her repeatedly.

“Some people were later attracted to the scene by the cry of the woman.

“Jonathan also set the house on fire. As soon as he saw the people that came to rescue the woman, he ran away but he was later caught by the youth and they took him to Ehor Police Division, which is the nearest police station to the village.” The source added

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Bassey confirmed the incident, saying that Mr. Jonathan who has an unconfirmed history of mental disorder, is in police custody and that investigations have begun.

Mr. Bassey noted that Janet did not die on the spot.

“He made enquiries about other members of the house. He was told they were not around and he asked if they would return home that night. The answer given to him is not certain, but he later turned around and picked a big wood. The mother by then was not aware what he was about to do.

“He hit the woman on the head and she fell down unconscious. He later opened the tank of generator, poured fuel on the ground and lit a fire. The unconscious mother was rescued through the backdoor by neighbours.” The PPRO stated.

The PPRO said as the mother was being rescued and the fire being put out, Jonathan watched the scene from a distance.

“The house was on fire while he took a chair and watched from outside. The mother gave up later. Jonathan was later arrested by the police at Ehor station.

“Preliminary investigation is that one Florence Igbinimiahie came up to say the man has been a psychiatric patient for the last 11 years. We are investigating and asking whether this is a defence. We will not leave any stone unturned.

“But, I will want to believe he (Jonathan) is sane, until confirmed by a psychiatrist. Meanwhile, the corpse of the mother has been deposited at the mortuary, awaiting autopsy.” Mr. Bassey said.

4 COMMENTS

  1. God punish the police men. na this u fit dey bost on. boko haram wey dey kill everyday u no do something ontop. fools!!!
    president’s name sake, you no do am well at all. your mama wey no kill you wen still dey young, wen u no no watin dey happen. infact, you are a son of abuse for killing you mother. watch out! ur pikin go kill u one day

  2. I READ ON VANGUARD NEWS YESTERDAY THAT HUSBAND KILLED WIFE. TODAY IS A KILLER OF MOTHER! TOO BAD! PLEASE, NIGERIA, LET POLICE BE VISITING HOMES NEAR THEIR STATIONS TO ASK WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS DISPUTES, THEN RESOLVING IF THEIR IS ANY.