By our reporter 7.10.2026
A nine-year-old boy is being held by the police in Yobe State after he allegedly set his family house ablaze killing his two stepmothers and two younger brothers.
This was after he was accused of stealing a chicken and his father beat him up.
The incident occurred in Rugan Badali in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. And it was thought that it was an accidental fire. But the lad confessed to the crime; sayings his conscience troubled him after three days prayers.
Speaking to Channels TV the minor said: “I carried one of our fowls to sell; and because of my age, some people reported me to my father, and I was beaten.
“The following day, I bought ₦50 worth of matches at the neighbourhood while my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep; I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me.
“Although when the house caught fire, I only shouted for help and people came for the rescue, I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer; I now confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu,” he said.
Yobe police spokesperson ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali said the boy will be made to face the consequences despite his age to serve as a deterrent to other children who might want to put up such ruinous behavior.
Vengeance seeking boy and his father at the police station.