A middle-aged woman has died after setting herself ablaze at the family residence of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in Bauchi State.
Eyewitnesses said the woman, believed to have been mentally unstable, arrived at the residence in a commercial tricycle carrying a gallon of petrol. She reportedly asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, daughter of the late Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).
When told Yelwa was not available, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself at the entrance and set herself on fire.
Bystanders rushed to extinguish the flames, but their efforts worsened the blaze. She was later taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where she died from severe burns.
Sources said the deceased, daughter of a late Sharia Court judge in Bauchi, had previously been married with children. Witnesses added that she claimed she mistakenly thought she was pouring water on herself before striking the match.
Police spokesperson, CSP Mohammed Wakil confirmed the incident on Thursday, describing it as “most unfortunate.”
He said preliminary investigations indicated the woman had a history of mental illness, reportedly developing after the birth of her last child.
“She was rescued alive and taken to ATBUTH, where she was admitted and her statement taken before she later passed away,” Wakil said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed further investigation into the matter, while the command commiserated with the family of the deceased.
Woman dies after self-immolation at Tafawa Balewa’s family home in Bauchi
