Saheed Ganiyu, a 47-year-old vulcanizer, is being held by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command’s Utako Division after a traumatic incident in which he allegedly set his fiancée, simply identified as Esther, on fire.
The pair got into a heated dispute that became violent at Jabi Motor Park in Abuja on December 29, 2024.
According to reports, Ganiyu had been carrying a plastic bottle of petrol and a lighter when he and Esther engaged in a physical altercation. It is claimed that during the struggle, the petrol leaked from the bottle he had tucked under his arm, spilling onto Esther’s clothing. The situation quickly escalated when Ganiyu attempted to light a cigarette with the lighter, inadvertently igniting the flammable liquid and engulfing Esther in flames.
A distressed call to the police prompted an immediate response from officers at the Utako Division. Upon arrival at the scene around 10:15 pm, law enforcement found a chaotic scene. Ganiyu had been severely beaten by an angry mob, while his girlfriend was found unconscious with severe burns. Both were rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical treatment. Esther remains in critical condition, fighting for her life after sustaining life-threatening injuries from the fire.
In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Ganiyu denied intentionally setting Esther on fire. He explained that he did not realize that the petrol he had stored under his arm had leaked onto her clothes during their altercation. Ganiyu claims the fire started when he tried to light a cigarette, unaware that the flammable liquid had dripped onto his girlfriend’s dress. He expressed regret for the incident, describing Esther’s struggle with alcohol as the cause of their heated argument.
Witnesses reported that the argument began when Esther attempted to drink alcohol in defiance of Ganiyu’s objections. The altercation escalated as the two grappled, and Ganiyu’s actions allegedly led to the tragic outcome.
The police quickly intervened, rescuing Ganiyu from the enraged crowd and taking him to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later discharged and transferred to police custody. As of now, he faces serious charges in connection with the incident.
The suspect, a vulcaniser said: ”I came to stay in Abuja in 2008. Esther is my girlfriend, and I love her so much. We started dating in February 2024.
“Esther is a lady who used to help me a lot. She would come to my business stand every morning and clean everywhere. She would also put my vulcanising machine at the appropriate place. On Sunday, December 29, she told me that she was going to church and I gave her N200 as offering. I also gave her N2,500 to buy something that we could eat on her return.
“I expected her return from church and waited at my stand but didn’t see her. Before that day, she had asked me for clothes and shoes she would wear at the new year, so I put the money I made together and went to buy a shirt and a pair of shoes for her at the cost of N30,000 before her return. I planned buying the jeans she would wear with the shirt before the New Year.
“At about 6 pm, I closed from my stand and went to the side I used to stay for night work. To my displeasure, I saw my girl where ogogoro (alcohol) was being sold. She was taking the one named ‘yahoo.’ I called her and asked why she did that again when she told me that she was going to church as she had changed from being alcoholic.
“I tried to collect the bottle from her and she was dragging it with me. I collected it and threw it away. I went to the place I was doing night job and called her several times to go and help buy petrol that I would use, but she didn’t respond. She still stayed where alcohol was being sold. I went to buy the petrol myself, just half a litre.
“When I returned, I saw her holding another bottle of alcohol. I held her from the back and tried to snatch the bottle from her. I didn’t know that the cover of the petrol bottle I held in my armpit was twisting and turning. I continued dragging the alcohol bottle she held. I pushed her and she pushed me back, making the fuel bottle to fall. She was pouring vituperation on me but I left the place.
“I went to buy cigarette, and as I was smoking the first one, Esther came and removed it from my mouth. As I put the second one and wanted to light it, Esther came to me again. Then I heard something like an explosion. Then I saw her body on fire. I didn’t know that the fuel that had initially dripped had soaked her dress.
“Esther is my love that I don’t joke with. If she went out to buy something and didn’t return in good time, I would be so concerned. I love her so much that I would not eat if she had not eaten. I used to make her eat first. She can be asked if I’m lying. I didn’t like her to be troubled, especially because of the leg deformity she has. On December 23, I sustained this injury (showing it) because of her. One Aboki tainted her deformity by calling her Gurugu (someone limping) and I was so furious.”
He said that it was not the first time he saw her with alcoholic drink. “I noticed it after we started dating. I corrected her many times but she always flared up. She was drinking Bull, Yahoo, Igboya, among other alcoholic drinks. Though I also take, I don’t like such a thing for a woman. And I don’t take it while at work. I don’t take any drugs, only cigarettes. She was also always taking Tramadol, telling me that her leg was paining her.
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“I didn’t pour petrol on her. It was the devil that turned things this way. Since she was hospitalized, despite my own condition as a result of much beating, I have not felt well. I know that my life has been destroyed.
“I appeal that I should be allowed to see her. I’m ready to marry her. Though I’m a Muslim, I want her to be going to church so that she can be transformed positively. She was already changing at a time when she started attending church,” he stated.
Reports indicate that the suspect, a divorcee, has been living apart from his ex-wife, who remarried years ago. He is the father of three sons, one of whom is already a parent himself.
Commenting on the incident, Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu emphasized the importance of managing anger and urged the public to practice patience and seek peaceful resolutions during conflicts to prevent unforeseen and harmful consequences.
CP Disu further stated that the suspect will be formally charged in court once the investigation is completed.
 Police Command's Utako Division after a traumatic incident in which he allegedly set his fiancée, simply identified as Esther, on fire.){kind=link}