The Ondo State Police Command on Sunday said it arrested a man, Ojo Joseph, for allegedly setting ablaze five of his stepchildren in the Fagun area of Ondo town, Ondo State.
The 64-year-old suspect was said to have committed the act following a disagreement with his wife, who is the mother of the victims.
The woman was said to have had the children for another man, whom she divorced before marrying the suspect.
The marriage with the suspect also produced a set of twins.
A source said the suspect poured petrol into the children’s room while they were asleep and set it on fire.
One of the stepchildren died in the fire, while the mother and the four other children sustained varying degrees of injury.
They were said to be receiving treatment in a hospital.
The source said, “Four other victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while their mother and the 18-month-old twins escaped with minor injuries.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the suspect was arrested after the matter was reported to the police.
She said, “We have yet to know why the man committed the act but we heard that he had a misunderstanding with his wife. He is currently in our custody and we have begun investigation into the matter. The suspect will be charged after investigation.”