Minister Condemns Arsonists’ Killing, Condoles Family
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has condemned the setting ablaze of a 75-year-old woman with her granddaughter in Idah, Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State
Audu, who expressed shock at the barbaric act, also condoled the family of the deceased and the paramount ruler of Igala Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Alaji Mathew Opaluwa, over the death of his sister, Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa-Sani and her granddaughter who were allegedly set ablaze by arsonists.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Lizzy Okoji, made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, the minister said the demise of Mallama Opaluwa-sani, Akwuma Attah Igala, was a loss to the entire Igala Kingdom, urging everyone to remain strong.
Audu also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“It is with a heavy heart that I condole with our father, HRM, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa and the royal family over the deaths of his sister and her granddaughter, whose lives were taken in the most painful manner.
“I also commiserate with the entire people of Igala Kingdom at this time because this is a loss to every one of us.
“I call on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring the perpetuators of this act to book so that it would serve as a deterrent to others. Such acts of sacrilege must be discouraged in our land.
“I pray that Almighty Allah grant the souls of the late Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa, and her granddaughter, Onechojo Aljanah Firdaus. I also pray Almighty Allah grants the family the heart to bear the loss,” Audu stated.
Late Mallama Opaluwa-sani, Akwuma Attah Igala, died on Thursday, January 4, at the age of 75, alongside her five-year-old granddaughter, Onechojo, when her home in Idah, Kogi State, was allegedly set ablaze by some assailants.
The incident was said to have happened in the wee hour of Thursday morning at her Oketekwe residence in Idah Local Government Area of the State.
It was reliably gathered that, the ugly incident also affected her first daughter Hajarat Usman Sani
and a five-year-old granddaughter identified as Onechojo who also died as a result of the fire incident.
The family source, however, disclosed that some group of people came to the house with petrol while the grandmother was sleeping alongside her daughter and granddaughter and poured the petrol on the house and light fire.
Meanwhile, the remains of late Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa Sani and the five-year-old girl have been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said the police are yet to get any information about the incident.
He promised to contact our correspondent as soon as information is made available to the command on the incident.
