A man, Udochi Amala, who set himself and his family ablaze over alleged infidelity by his wife in Asa Umudioka Autonomous Community in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, has died alongside his wife shortly after their child died in the fire.

Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, Maureen Chinaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident, disclosing that the 40-year-old man, his wife, Amarachi, and their 2-year-old daughter have been confirmed dead after Amala set their house on fire.

She said the incident was reported to the Divisional Headquarters of the Police in Osisioma by the head of the Asa Umudioka vigilante group on May 16, 2025.

She explained that the head of the community vigilante group had reported that the group heard a loud scream and, upon arrival at the scene, saw fire coming out of the house of one Udochi Amala, who resides in the area.

According to her, Amala repeatedly accused his wife of indulging in infidelity and in response, set himself and his family who were inside the house on fire, leading to the tragic death of their 2-year-old daughter.

She added that detectives from the Osisioma Division promptly visited the scene of the incident and recovered the corpse of the child and deposited it in the morgue.

The police spokesperson continued: “Amala’s wife, who sustained critical burns, was rushed to the hospital, while the suspect, Amala, who also sustained injuries, was arrested and taken to the same hospital for treatment.

“However, on 17th of May ,2025, both Udochi Amala and his wife, who were receiving medical attention, were confirmed dead by the hospital.”