A New Year tragedy was narrowly averted in Edo State after a 55-year-old man, Osaro Ahunwan, allegedly set fire to the home of his estranged wife, Tina Uyi, at Idumwonwina, near Oluku, the Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Tina, a 54-year-old Italy-based businesswoman, returned to Nigeria on December 31, 2024, to celebrate the New Year with her family.
According to eyewitnesses, Osaro went to Tina’s residence and was refused entry, prompting him to allegedly douse the building with petrol and set it ablaze.
A source said, “Tina returned to Nigeria from her base in Italy and Osaro went to her house when he learnt that she had returned. Tina heard a loud bang on her window while coming out from the bathroom but did not let him in.
“Tina refused her estranged husband into her apartment, claiming that their relationship had ended as her family had returned her pride price since April 2024.”
“Despite Tina’s plea for him to leave the promises, Osaro shattered the glass windows, doused the apartment with petrol, and set it on fire through the help of a lighter and fuel, leaving the entire apartment completely razed.
The fire reportedly engulfed the entire house, destroying property worth millions, including cash in local and foreign currencies.
Tina’s nonagenarian parents were rescued by neighbours, while the Edo State Fire Service extinguished the flames.
Tina, who sustained third-degree burns, is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Benin.
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In an interview, Tina mentioned that, “Osaro destroyed my Lexus (330) Jeep when we had a misunderstanding. He is too controlling and very suspicious of my movement. Even when I am out shopping and he calls, as soon as he hears a male’s voice, he starts calling me names.
“Due to his violent and overbearing character, I decided to quit the marriage that lasted less than two years.
“This time, he tried to come into my apartment and he committed this arson because I refused him entry.”
According to report, Tina claimed Osaro had threatened to kill her and himself as well sometime in 2023.
It was gathered that the police in Ekiadolor have arrested the suspect, Osaro and his accomplice, Odaro Ovia Robo (Tina’s elder brother) over the incident.
During interrogation, Osaro reportedly confessed that Tina’s elder brother, Odaro Oviarobo, popularly known as “OD,” provided him with detailed information about his sister’s (Tina) itinerary.
He further claimed that the lighter used to ignite the fire was also supplied by Odaro.
Sources disclosed that Odaro harbored grievances against his sister, accusing her of withholding financial assistance despite building a hotel.
Tina was also said to previously sponsored Odaro’s trip abroad in 2003, but he returned to Nigeria voluntarily after 10 years, leaving behind his partner and a baby girl.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, SP Moses Yamu, while confirming the incident, said he was yet to speak to the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of the Ekiadolor Division for details of the incident.
As of the time of filing the report, both Osaro and Odaro remain in police custody as investigations continue.
