A 40-year-old woman from Garin Mallam village in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa state has tragically taken her own life by setting herself on fire following a recent divorce, according to local authorities.
The incident, confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Jigawa State, DSP Lawan Shiisu, occurred on Thursday morning.
In a statement issued in Dutse on Friday, DSP Shiisu revealed that the woman used petrol to set herself ablaze on the outskirts of the village. "On Thursday at about 07:40 hours, the command received a heartbreaking report from Guri LGA that a woman, aged 40, from Garin Mallam village, poured petrol on her body, set herself ablaze, and was burnt beyond recognition," said DSP Shiisu.
"Following this report, a squad of officers from the Guri Divisional Police Headquarters raced to the scene and verified the incident."
The officers transported the charred remains to a local hospital before releasing the body to the woman's family for burial. Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman had been battling depression in the months following her divorce, which may have contributed to her tragic decision.
The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Abdullahi, has urged the public to seek guidance and counselling during difficult times, advising them to submit their challenges to Almighty Allah for resolution. He also stressed the importance of consulting elders for advice on complex personal issues to prevent such tragic events.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the divorce and subsequent self-immolation is ongoing.
