A 64-year-old timber merchant and father, Mr. Ojo Joseph, has been arrested by police operatives for setting ablaze five of his step-children, at Fagun Crescent area of Ondo State.

The suspect alleged that his wife, who is the mother of the children, has been denying him sex for months. It was gathered that the wife only gave birth to twins for the suspect, after her first failed marriage, which produced five children.

The 18-month-old twins and their mother, who was also in the room set ablaze by the suspect, only sustained minor injuries. However, during interrogation, the suspect attributed his action to a family spell. He said, “I blame my action on a spell. It wasn’t intentional but I realised my mistake. I regretted what I did to my wife.”

Ojo is accused of po¥ring petrol inside the room occupying the children and immediately lighting them up. Explaining the reasons behind the barbaric act, Mr Ojo said he had been having long running issues with her wife since they started living together as a couple. He accused his wife, Esther, of not taking adequate care of him despite performing his duty as the head of the family.

“I am 64 years old. I have married four wives. I have 10 children from different women. The one I married last, if I give her money and she buys food, she does not give me food. She does not wash my clothes. She always fights me. We have been together for two years. She and her children used to f#ght and beat me. We fought the day I set the children ablaze. We do not use to quarrel over sex.“

Spokesperson of the police command In the state, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the children were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo with their mother where they were receiving treatment for burns. She noted that three of the children identified as Tayo, Aanu and Tope who were among the five, set ablaze by the suspect have died.

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