A middle-aged woman has been arrested for allegedly setting a policewoman and her two children ablaze in Nnokwa, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The suspect, identified as Nneamaka Nwosu, a native of Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area of the state, was said to have come in contact with the deceased when she became homeless following a divorce.

A resident of the area said the suspect, Ms Nwosu, had gone to live with the policewoman shortly after her husband sent her out of their home and was in dire need of accommodation.

According to him, the suspect hit the officer with a pestle on her head when a fight broke out between them.

“She hit the policewoman on the head with a pestle, and she fell and became unconscious. She quickly tied the policewoman and her two kids with a rope inside their room and set them ablaze together with the building,” he said.

It was gathered that the suspect was apprehended by local vigilantes and some villagers who were attracted by the fire while she attempted to escape.

When the vigilante interrogated her, she initially denied the act, claiming it was a gas explosion while the deceased and her children were boiling water.

Ms Nwosu later confessed to the crime, attributing it to the devil’s handiwork.

“I did not know what came over me that made me commit the crime. I deserve to be shot dead for this wicked act against the person who helped me in my time of need,” she said.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect had been arrested.

He added that the bodies of the policewoman and her children had been deposited at the mortuary.

Mr Ikenga said the case has also been transferred to the State Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.

He confirmed the witness’s report, adding that further development on the matter would be communicated to the public.

(NAN)