The Kwara State Fire Service responded to the incident and confirmed it was an arson case.
A gang of three teenagers set a three-bedroom bungalow on fire in Ilorin, Kwara State, after their attempt to steal foodstuffs, groceries, and clothing was foiled by residents.
The house, located at No. 59 Afenifere Community, Onireke, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin South Local Government Area, was set ablaze around noon.
Eighteen-year-old Olawumi Olamide, one of the suspects, confessed during interrogation that another member of the gang, identified as Isiaka, was involved in starting the fire after their robbery attempt was foiled by residents.
Eyewitnesses stated that valuable items such as a plasma television, important documents, a mattress, and clothes were destroyed in the fire, the PUNCH reports.
The Kwara State Fire Service responded to the incident and confirmed it was an arson case.
“Upon arriving at the scene, fire officers found a three-bedroom bungalow engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts, two rooms were completely destroyed by the fire,” read a statement from Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service.
The fire started after the gang was interrupted during their theft. Isiaka set the house on fire to create a distraction, while Olawumi Olamide stabbed a man twice before being apprehended by residents.
Olamide was handed over to the chairman of the community, Mr. Azeez Jamiu, who then transferred him to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tanke Division.
In a video of the interrogation, Olamide admitted that Isiaka set a mattress on fire before fleeing into the bush.
ASC Ayoola Michael, Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, confirmed that the suspect was in custody.
The Kwara State Fire Service Director, Falade Olumuyiwa, urged the public to remain vigilant to prevent future incidents.