A middle-aged woman has died after setting herself ablaze at the family residence of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in Bauchi State, according to a Daily Post report.
According to eyewitnesses, the woman, suspected to be mentally unstable, arrived at the residence in a commercial tricycle carrying a gallon of petrol. She reportedly asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, daughter of the late Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency.
When told Yelwa was not at home, the woman poured petrol on herself at the entrance and set herself on fire.
Bystanders tried to put out the flames, but their efforts made the situation worse. She was later rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, where she died from severe burns.
It was further reported that the deceased was the daughter of a late Sharia Court judge in Bauchi. She had been married with children and, before the incident, allegedly said she thought she was pouring water on herself before lighting the fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Bauchi, CSP Mohammed Wakil, confirmed the incident on Thursday, describing it as “most unfortunate.”
“She was rescued alive and taken to ATBUTH, where she was admitted and her statement taken before she later passed away,” Wakil said.
He explained that preliminary investigations indicated the woman had a history of mental illness, which reportedly began after the birth of her last child.
Wakil added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered further investigation into the matter, while the command extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
