Port Harcourt, Nigeria: The Rivers State Police Command has arrested Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, for allegedly setting her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi, ablaze during a domestic dispute that turned fatal.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday at a private residence located at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, has left the community in shock.
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspect, who is reportedly pregnant with the deceased’s child, is currently hospitalized under police surveillance after sustaining burns from the inferno.
“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident… Cynthia Chukwundah allegedly set her boyfriend, Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada Community, Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries,” the statement read.
Amadi, who was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), died from his injuries while receiving treatment, police confirmed.
While the exact cause of the dispute remains unconfirmed, sources close to the couple claim the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over Chukwundah’s pregnancy.
Iringe-Koko stated that due to her medical condition, Chukwundah has yet to give a full account of what transpired.
“She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident, but will do so when her condition is stable,” the statement noted.
The police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has called for calm, assuring the public that justice will be pursued.
“We are urging members of the public to remain peaceful and law-abiding. The command is committed to ensuring that justice is served in this tragic case,” Iringe-Koko added.
This latest incident adds to a string of domestic violence cases that have rocked communities across the country, prompting renewed calls for awareness, intervention, and early conflict resolution in intimate relationships.
