Thieves Set House On Fire After Stealing Foodstuff, Others In Kwara

A gang of three thieves has set a building on fire after stealing foodstuff and other household items from it in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday at about 12.11pm at No. 59, Afenifere Community, Onireke, Gaa-Akanbi, Ilorin.

The spokesperson of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed the act of arson and theft by the attackers.

Adekunle said: “On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 12:11 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a fire outbreak at No. 59, Afenifere Community, Onireke, Gaa-Akanbi area, Ilorin.

“Upon arriving at the scene, the fire officers found a three-bedroom bungalow engulfed in flames. The gallant officers immediately began extinguishing the fire and managed to bring it under control within 25 minutes. Despite their efforts, two rooms were completely ravaged by the inferno, with items such as a mattress, valuable documents, a plasma TV, and clothing completely destroyed.

“Investigations revealed that the fire was an act of arson committed by a gang of thieves who had stolen foodstuffs, groceries, and clothing. After being discovered by residents and community members, the gang set the house on fire in a desperate attempt to escape. One member of the three-person gang, 18-year-old Olawumi Ayomide, was apprehended by the community. During his capture, Ayomide stabbed a man twice before being handed over to the community chairman, Mr. Azeez Jamiu, and subsequently turned over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tanke Division.”

“The director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, urged the public to remain vigilant and prioritise safety at all times,” Adekunle added.