Police operatives attached to GRA Division of the Niger State Police Command have arrested one Stephen Jiya of Niger motel area of Suleja.
Police spokesman in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, made the disclosure in a statement in Minna on Thursday.
Jiya was arrested at Darusalam, Minna for the offence of culpable homicide of his mother, Comfort Jiya of Darusalam, Minna.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and claimed that on December 19, he had a misunderstanding with his wife in his home in Suleja, which attracted their neighbours and the issue was laid to rest and he left for work.
On his return from work, he discovered that his wife had left home for Minna without his consent.
He confessed further that he left Suleja and went to Minna on December 20 with a plastic bottle of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, and went to the family house where he met his mother cooking in the kitchen.
The suspect sprayed the deceased with fuel and set her ablaze, alleging that the woman usually meddles in his marital affairs.
He blamed his mother for his wife’s disappearance from home.
The outcry of the woman and the raging flame attracted neighbours who rushed her to the General hospital, Minna.
She was later referred to another medical facility, where she gave up the ghost.
The police spokesman said already the suspect has been arraigned in court for prosecution.
