The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old man, Nura Mas’ud, for allegedly setting his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, ablaze. The tragic incident occurred in Mu’azu village, Dan Gwanki ward, Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area on October 8, 2024.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Lawan Adam, provided details of the incident. “At about 1600hrs, the command received a report that Nura Mas’ud, armed with a petrol canister, went to his family home and doused his 60-year-old grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, in petrol before setting her on fire.”
Despite being rushed to the hospital, the elderly woman later succumbed to her injuries. A medical doctor confirmed her death, and her body was released to family members for burial according to Islamic rites.
Following the incident, police detectives from the Sule Tankarkar Division swiftly apprehended Mas’ud. He was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime. Preliminary investigations revealed that Mas’ud suffers from a mental illness and had been receiving treatment at Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital.
According to the statement, the suspect explained that his grandmother had repeatedly expressed concern about his health and physical appearance, which upset him. Despite warning her several times to stop, she continued, leading him to carry out the heinous act.
The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, A.T. Abdullahi, has directed the SCID to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the suspect is prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
