13-year-old boy allegedly sets family house ablaze, kills four sisters in Yobe

A 13-year-old boy has allegedly set his family home ablaze in Yobe State, resulting in the deaths of four of his sisters following a dispute with his father.

The boy allegedly started the fire after his father beat him before leaving the house for town.

During questioning, the boy allegedly admitted that he had taken his father’s cock without permission and was beaten after the incident.

According to accounts of the incident, the boy admitted during questioning that he set the house on fire while his sisters were still inside.

Four of the children became trapped in the building and died in the resulting fire.

The incident has sparked concern in the community, particularly because the victims were the suspect’s siblings.

It has also renewed questions about how the justice system should handle children accused of serious offences.

Under Nigeria’s child justice framework, children in conflict with the law are generally handled differently from adults. The system places greater emphasis on rehabilitation, correction and reintegration.

The circumstances surrounding the fire remain under investigation, while the deaths have left the family and community mourning the four children.