6 youths set ablaze in Abeokuta for gambling

Compound, in Ago Oko area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Tuesday night, for gambling at the backyard of a middle aged man (name withheld).

The suspect, Nigerian Tribune learnt, had earlier reported his action at the a nearby police station, but the spokesman of the Ogun State police command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, told newsmen that the culprit was arrested.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the suspect was provoked to take the action while the youths were gambling in his compound against his several warnings.

Adejobi said that information at the command’s disposal indicated that the suspect poured Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on the youth during an argument.

The PPRO said, “Information available to us is that the suspect had an argument with the youths before he poured PMS on them at Ago-Oko area.

“For now, we cannot ascertain other circumstances that led to the incident but we have the suspect in our custody and we are working hard to untie what led to it.”

The victims of the incident were identified as Saburi Seteolu, Raheem Bello, Tunde Adesanya, Suleiman Adebesin, Azeez Alabi and Kola Sodehinde.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintended of Police, thereafter, said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter was concluded.

He also warned youths in the area not to engage in any reprisal attack, saying that that could disrupt peace of the area.

Four of the victims were admitted at the emergency unit of the General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, while others were taken to private hospitals.