RismadarVoice Reporters
October 9, 2026
The Yobe State Police Command has disclosed that a nine-year-old boy allegedly set his family home ablaze following punishment by his father over a stolen chicken, resulting in the deaths of his two stepmothers and two younger siblings.
The incident occurred on August 21, 2026, at Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.
Police authorities disclosed the findings on Wednesday, October 7, following an investigation into the fire, which was initially believed to have occurred accidentally.
According to the command, the Karasuwa Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report about a fire at the residence of Abubakar Idi.
The Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, subsequently directed the Violent Crime Response Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Adamu-Ali, said investigators established that the fire was allegedly started deliberately by the homeowner’s nine-year-old son.
The investigation reportedly linked the incident to an earlier confrontation between the boy and his father over the alleged theft and sale of a family chicken.
According to the police account, the child claimed that his father had beaten him after learning about the incident.
The boy reportedly admitted during questioning that he subsequently started the fire while members of the household were asleep.
He also claimed that he raised an alarm after the fire began but did not immediately disclose his alleged involvement.
According to the account presented by the authorities, the child acknowledged his involvement three days after the incident.
The fire claimed the lives of four family members, including the boy’s two stepmothers and two younger siblings.
The police subsequently presented the child and his father before journalists in Damaturu as part of their briefing on the investigation.
Adamu-Ali said the command recognised the child’s age and would ensure that further proceedings complied with applicable laws governing children in conflict with the law.
He explained that investigations were nearing completion and that the matter would be referred to the appropriate authorities for further action.
The police also urged parents and guardians to pay greater attention to children’s welfare, emotional wellbeing and behavioural development.
The command emphasised the importance of responsible parenting and appropriate support for children experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties.
The case remains subject to the relevant legal processes, and the allegations against the child have not been determined by a court.
