Four members of the same family have died after a house was gutted by fire at Rugan Badali Fulani Settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The Yobe State Police Command said the fire, which occurred on August 21, 2026, was allegedly started by the nine-year-old son of the house owner, Abubakar Idi.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the police, the Karasuwa Divisional Headquarters received an emergency report about the fire at Idi’s residence and immediately responded to the incident.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Jibrin, ordered the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine its cause.
The command said the investigation revealed that the victims were the suspect’s two stepmothers and two sisters, who were inside the house when the fire started.
Police said the child allegedly confessed during questioning that he started the fire after his father beat him the previous day over the theft of a chicken.
The blaze subsequently engulfed the residence, killing the four victims.
The command said the investigation was nearing completion and that the child would be referred to the appropriate authorities for further action in line with relevant laws governing children in conflict with the law.
The Commissioner commended the VCRU team for its handling of the investigation and directed officers to ensure that all required legal and child-protection measures were observed.
The command condoled with the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to pay greater attention to children’s behaviour, welfare and emotional wellbeing.