Police Arrest Man For Setting Friend Ablaze In A/Ibom

The commissioner of police (CP) Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durosinmi has vowed to ensure that the law takes its full course in a case of arson involving one Akpan Okon, arrested and detained at the state police headquarters for gruesomely murdering his friend, over a minor disagreement.

The suspect, it was gathered, burnt his friend to death after dousing him with inflammable liquid suspected to be petrol following a heated argument over a phone charger.

Parading the suspect alongside others alleged to have been involved in sundry crimes at the Command headquarters, the commissioner of police explained that the arsonist, a roadside petrol seller, had in the middle of the altercation with his friend, poured petrol on him and ignited a match, which resulted in the victim’s death.

He said: “On 15th December, 2022, relying on a petition from Rev. Emmanuel Ime, of Ikot Ekwere Ubium Village in Nsit Ublum Local Government Area, operatives of the Homicide unit of the SCID Uyo, arrested one Akpan Okon Akpan, of same address, who poured fuel on his brother, one Junior Ime Philip and set him ablaze, leading to his death because of a disagreement over a phone charger.”

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According to the CP, “the suspect admitted to the crime saying that he was forced to kill the deceased because he (the deceased) started a fight with him, though he denied knowing the deceased.”

Recalling how the incident happened, the suspect said: “He (the deceased) ran into my shop and said he was looking for someone and then picked a bottle and started a fight in my shop. I sell engine oil, petrol and kerosene. Till I poured the petrol on him, I didn’t know till it happened, I didn’t know.

“I never knew the guy before. That was the first day I saw him. He came into my shop asking for someone; that the person holds his charger and I told him the person was not around. He then picked a bottle and started a fight with me.”