The Yobe State Police Command has taken a nine-year-old boy into custody following a horrific arson attack that claimed the lives of his two stepmothers and two younger brothers. The tragic incident occurred at Rugan Badal, a rural settlement within the Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, throwing the entire community into deep mourning and shock.

According to police authorities, the minor intentionally set the family home ablaze as an act of retaliation against his father, Abubakar Idi. The father had severely disciplined the boy the previous day after community members caught him trying to steal and sell a family fowl, subsequently reporting the incident to his parents.

Paraded by the police alongside his father in Damaturu, the minor confessed to the crime, detailing how he orchestrated the fatal attack. He disclosed that he purchased ₦50 worth of matches from a neighborhood shop and struck the fire while his stepmothers and younger brothers were fast asleep inside the house, ensuring they were trapped as the flames rapidly spread.

In a chilling admission, the suspect revealed that he initially raised an alarm for help to conceal his involvement while the house burned. His role in the tragedy only came to light three days later during a community prayer session for the deceased, where he confessed to his family, leading to his immediate arrest by local police.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, stressed the gravity of the offense despite the suspect`s tender age. He assured the public that the Command is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arson to determine the appropriate legal and juvenile justice procedures.

Meanwhile, the heartbreaking incident has sparked intense national concern over parental discipline and the emotional wellbeing of minors. It has also renewed urgent public debates regarding psychological monitoring for troubled children and the ease with which minors can access potentially dangerous materials like matches and accelerants.