A woman in her early 20s allegedly threatened her boyfriend with a knife and set their rented apartment on fire in Kabusa Gardens Estate, Abuja, following a heated argument over alleged infidelity. The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. over the weekend, according to a resident named Kels who posted a detailed account on Facebook on Tuesday.
The couple, who have reportedly lived in the estate for barely five months, had a violent confrontation that escalated rapidly. The boyfriend, about 26 years old, returned home around midnight, and his girlfriend, about 22, accused him of cheating. A heated argument ensued, during which she allegedly picked up a knife and chased him around the house. He managed to escape by running out of the apartment and locking the door behind him, leaving the key outside with him.
Apartment Vandalized and Set Ablaze
Locked inside the apartment with a jam-lock, the woman did not calm down. According to Kels, she first pulled down the indoor air conditioning unit, then gathered the man's belongings, including his box, and took them toward the backyard. She then brought out fuel and began pouring it on items inside the apartment, including chairs, a couch, and other furniture. Within a short time, the house was on fire.
Estate security and residents mobilized immediately to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the property, which is a rented duplex. Kels noted that the fire was eventually put out, but the damage had already been done.
Previous Violent Confrontation on July 7
This was not the couple's first violent incident. Kels reported that on July 7, the same couple had another confrontation where the woman allegedly chased the man with a knife and physically fought him. Estate security intervened, and Kels, who was part of the team that responded, helped separate them. After that incident, the couple reportedly promised to stop fighting, but barely a month later, the woman allegedly set the house on fire.
Kels expressed shock at the escalation, highlighting that the property was rented, not owned by the couple. She also noted that some residents believe the young man may be involved in internet fraud, but she emphasized that this is only an allegation and she could not independently confirm it.
Impact on Safety and Property
The incident raised serious concerns about safety in the estate, as it occurred in the middle of the night when people were sleeping. Kels stressed that the fire could have spread to neighboring properties and endangered innocent lives. She called the event a serious threat to lives and property, not just a couple's fight, and suggested that some relationships need counseling, boundaries, and possibly police intervention.
The fire was contained, and no injuries were reported, but the rented duplex suffered significant damage. The couple's future in the estate remains uncertain, and the incident has left residents in shock, with Kels concluding that the situation could have ended much worse.
