The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, for allegedly setting her lover, Sunny Amadi, ablaze following a domestic dispute that resulted in a fire incident.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at a private residence located at No. 11B Okoro Street in the Choba area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary police findings, the disagreement between the couple allegedly escalated over issues related to Chukwundah’s pregnancy, culminating in a fire outbreak that left both parties with serious burns.
Amadi, a 32-year-old native of Elibrada Community in Emohua LGA, was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where he later died from injuries sustained in the inferno.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident in a statement released Tuesday. She said police officers from the Choba Division responded promptly after receiving a distress call at approximately 11:12 a.m., visiting both the scene and the hospital.
“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident… resulting in severe injuries. The victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission,” the statement read.
Iringe-Koko added that Chukwundah, who is pregnant with the deceased’s child, also sustained burns and is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital under police watch. Due to her condition, she has not been able to give a full account of the events that led to the fire but is expected to do so once stabilized.
She noted that the exact cause of the fire remains unknown and that a full investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has appealed to the public to remain calm and assured that justice will be served.
