A 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Cynthia Chukwundah, has been arrested for allegedly setting her lover, Sunny Amadi, on fire during a fight over a pregnancy issue.
The incident happened on Sunday at a private apartment on Okoro Street in Choba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sunny, 32, was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with severe burns but later died while receiving treatment.
The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
She said, “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.
“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate student of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada Community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries during the inferno.”
Iringe-Koko stated that police officers from Choba Division arrived at the scene quickly and later visited the hospital. She said, “Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.”
Cynthia, who is said to be heavily pregnant with Sunny’s child, also suffered burns and is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital under police watch.
“The probable cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, and a full investigation has been launched,” Iringe-Koko added.
She explained that Cynthia is still too weak to explain her side of the story but will be questioned once she recovers.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has called for calm and assured the public that justice will be done.
