A woman simply known as Lateefat, alias Iya Ibadan, was on Saturday in Otun Akute, Ogun state, burnt to death by her estranged husband.

The estranged husband, known as Ponle, said she 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 were married for three years and resided in Otun Akute, Ogun state, where the tragic incident happened. The marriage had no children.

Mr Ponle was said to have gone to the residence of his ex-wife on Thursday and threatened to kill her if she did not return to his house, witnesses told Peoples Gazette.

“The man was fond of beating the woman to a stupor. Their fight is always a community matter. She has been 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 Adio, Ms Lateefat’s neighbour told the Gazette.

Mr Ponle was said to have stalked the deceased’s movement to carry out his assault despite her avoiding him on many occasions.

“Ponle suddenly came back from work on Thursday evening and threatened to burn Iya Ibadan alive so no other man could have her.

“The woman ran away from her house on Friday night in fear of Ponle’s threat. He came to the house that night but she was not at home.

“When she returned on Saturday morning for a change of clothes, she also tried to observe her prayers only for Ponle to show up, poured petrol on her in the room and set her ablaze but Iya Ibadan also grabbed him and ensured they burned together until people intervened,” Mr Adio added. 

A community member who did not want his name mentioned told The Gazette that “Marriage is not a do-or-die affair and people like Ponle should be put away from society.

“If the police do not take action and we find Ponle roaming the neighbourhood, we will kill him ourselves,” he vowed.

The late Iya Ibadan’s last child was also caught in the fire but was quickly rescued and is currently responding to treatment in the hospital.

Mr Ponle has been arrested, with spokesperson for the Ogun police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, assuring The Gazette that the public will be updated in due course.