A New Year’s Day disaster that could have led to the death of one Tina Uyi was averted after her estranged husband, Osaro Ahunwan, allegedly burnt down their building at Idumwonwina, near Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
An eyewitness told TheNigerian Metro on Thursday that the 54-year-old Italy-based-businesswoman returned to Nigeria on Tuesday to visit her family for the New Year.
The 55-year-old estranged husband was said to have gone to Uyi’s house and was refused entry which prompted him to devise the plan that led to the burning of the woman’s house.
The source said, “Tina returned to Nigeria from her base in Italy on December 31, 2024, 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 bride price since April 2024.
“Despite Tina’s plea for him to leave the premises, Osaro reportedly shattered the glass windows, doused the apartment with petrol, and set it on fire leaving the entire apartment completely razed as it burnt the entire house.
“Neighbours intervened and successfully rescued Tina’s parents ( who are nonagenarians) from the fire while it took the efforts of men of the Edo State Fire Service to put out the flames that had wreaked havoc before their arrival,” the source noted.
Tina was said to have lost some money both in local and foreign currencies including packages from her friends in Italy to their loved ones in Nigeria to the inferno.
She told TheNigerian Metro from her hospital bed on Thursday that sometime in 2023, Osaro had threatened to kill her and himself as well.
She said, “Osaro destroyed my Lexus (330) Jeep when we had a misunderstanding. He is too controlling and very suspicious of my movements. 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 committed this arson because I refused him entry.”
Tina sustained third-degree burns in the incident and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed private hospital in Benin City.
It was learnt that the police in Ekiadolor had arrested the suspect, Osaro and his accomplice, Odaro Ovia Robo (Tina’s elder brother) over the incident.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident saying he had yet to speak to the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of the Ekiadolor Division for details.
As of the time of filing this report, both Osaro and Odaro were still in police custody as investigations continued.
