50-Year-Old Man Sets Himself On Fire

Ojo Ogundeji, 50-Year-Old , allegedly set himself and his father’s home on fire in the Odojomu neighborhood of Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State.

According to reports, the deceased, who had traveled from Lagos for the holiday celebrations, had shut himself inside the home before committing suicide by setting himself on fire.

An eyewitness claimed that although the deceased had complained of being made fun of for his living and financial circumstances, his family members had instead comforted him.

However, he went on to describe that Ogundeji had locked himself in a room for some time before coming out, setting his garments on fire, and then going back inside.

The family members and neighbors who were outside the house were alerted by the cries coming from the room, the witness added.

He claimed that before putting the house and himself on fire, the deceased had locked all of the doors leading inside.

He said that the screaming coming from his room was what drew them, but he passed away minutes after being rescued and taken to the hospital.

A witness, Mrs Sabaina Ogundeji, said: “In the morning, Ojo set fire under the staircase of the house and said nobody should put it off. But with the help of people on the street, it was put off.

“In the evening, Ojo brought out his clothes and set them on fire. He later went inside and locked himself up in the room and set it on fire. It was his voice we heard when he was shouting.

“People ran there to force the door open and brought him out. But he later died in the hospital.”

Another witness said: “When we rescued Ojo, he was not yet dead. He told us that he set the house on fire because some people were making jest of him because of his problem.

“His remains has been deposited at the morgue in the state hospital, Ondo.”

The incidence was confirmed by the police at the Enu-Owa division, who stated that a man from Odojomu came to report it.