Delta Police Launch Manhunt for Man Accused of Arson and Attempted Murder

The Delta State Police Command has initiated a search for a suspect named Ignatius, who is facing allegations of arson and attempted murder. This follows an incident on Monday, February 23, when he reportedly set fire to his wife’s shop located in Okpanam, Asaba.

The victim, Juliet Opudiri, reported to the police that her husband not only ignited the blaze but also locked her foster child and an employee inside the caravan shop before fleeing. She explained that the fire resulted in the complete destruction of her inventory, which included items acquired on credit and loans.

Juliet recounted that the fire erupted while she was at home attending to her baby.

"I was feeding my baby when I heard a loud noise. I rushed to the window and saw that my shop was on fire. I dropped my baby and started shouting that my shop was burning. Neighbors rushed out, and we all hurried to the scene," she explained.

According to her, locals initially attempted to extinguish the fire before alerting the fire service, but the flames had already spread to neighboring shops by the time help arrived.

"People were breaking down the doors to force them open and tried to quench the fire but were unsuccessful. By the time the fire service operatives arrived, the fire had spread to two shops beside mine. They eventually put it out, but everything was already destroyed," she noted.

The distraught wife shared that her foster child, Chimuanya, later provided a detailed account of events leading up to the fire. She alleged that shortly after leaving her shop, the generator shut down, prompting her worker to check in the backyard, where he encountered her husband.

"My husband brought the generator into the shop and ordered the worker to kneel down, threatening that no one should move. He then sprinkled fuel around the shop and inside the caravan, locked Chimuanya inside, secured the back gate, struck a match, and ignited the place," she claimed.

Describing this act as both arson and an attempt on lives, Opudiri revealed that her foster child had been locked inside the caravan during the fire. She reported the incident to the police, but the suspect is still evading capture.

"He ran away and hasn’t been seen since. He even called me to threaten that what he did was nothing compared to what he would still do. He said he would frustrate me and ruin anything I try to build again," she added.

As a result of the incident, the mother of four stated that she has suffered significant financial hardship and has been forced to relocate with her children due to ongoing threats.

"I have lost everything. The goods were purchased on credit, and I do not know how to repay them. Due to the threats, I had to leave with my children, and they have stopped attending school out of fear," she lamented.

Confirming the developments, SP Bright Edafe, a spokesperson for the state police command, stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

"We are actively pursuing this case. The suspect is on the run, and we are committed to capturing him. When a suspect knows he is being hunted, he tends to move further away to evade arrest, complicating our efforts. Nonetheless, we are following his trail, and he will be apprehended," Edafe assured.