Cairo based man dies after being set on fire by jealous fiancée in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo 

A Cairo-based businessman, Bolu Bamidele has died after he was set ablaze by his jealous fiancée, Ifeoluwa Akanji over alleged extra marital affair. 

Bolu, who was rushed to the hospital immediately after the incident, reportedly gave up the ghost at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after hours of excruciating pain.

It was gathered that Bolu and Ifeoluwa had their wedding introduction in March 2022 before the former travelled to Cairo where he was based. 

Bolu was said to have built a bungalow for Ifeoluwa in Osogbo, Osun State and also bought a car for her before building another house for the woman at Coker area in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.  

“A source said: “Bolu returned from Cairo to celebrate his fiancée’s birthday. Then she discovered that he had impregnated another woman after reading his WhatsApp chat. She confronted him with the information and an argument ensued.

“Bolu and Ifeoluwa had been on the issue for about a week before he set the house on fire while Bolu was inside, locked all entrances on Sunday and fled to an unknown destination.”

Eyewitnesses and the neighbors said it took them more than 40 minutes before they could rescue Bolu from the inferno.

Speaking with our correspondent, one of the rescuers, Gabriel Adejare said: “I was coming home from work with my wife on Sunday around 7:30pm when I met Ife wearing only bra and underwear walking bear-footed to the junction of Coker. We suspected that something happened but could not figure it out.  

“When I got closer to my house, I noticed smoke at the house where Ife was staying. I observed for a while and when I realized that the house was on fire, I rushed there and met Ife’s younger sister with some elderly neighbours in front of the gate. She was the one that informed me that Bolu was inside the burning house. 

“She told me that the sister angrily left the house locking all the doors. She said she (Ife’s younger sister) had left the house to call elders in the neighbourhood to intervene the quarrel but before she returned, her sister had set the house on fire, locked all the doors and left.

“Instantly, I tried to put off the fire but I could not. I called for more help in the neighbourhood and we mobilized to extinguish the fire. We were pouring sand, and water and trying to break into the house through the window to rescue him. 

“We broke about four windows and burglaries before we could get into the house. We were able to rescue him after about 40 minutes. 

“We found him beside a burnt bed and we rushed him to a nearby hospital and he was referred to Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo and later referred to Ibadan for treatment.”

It was gathered that Bolu will be buried this week.

Police spokesperson in the state, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that a manhunt has been launched to arrest the fleeing wife.