The Jigawa State Police Command has detained a 27-year-old man, Abbas Ibrahim, over the alleged killing of his elder brother, Basiru Shuaibu, in a fire incident in Gwaram Local Government Area of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 11:30pm on September 29, 2026, in Nassarawa village, Gwaram LGA.
The command’s spokesman, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the suspect allegedly attacked his brother’s residence and started the fire.
According to the police, Abbas, who claimed to be mentally unstable, allegedly entered the apartment, spread petrol in the room and set it alight while his elder brother and his wife were inside.
The blaze left the couple with serious burns. Relatives reportedly took them to a traditional medicine practitioner for treatment, but Basiru later succumbed to his injuries.
Following the incident, detectives began efforts to track down the suspect. He was eventually apprehended in Sara town, within Gwaram Local Government Area.
The police said the matter was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation, adding that the suspect had been taken before a court.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijjani Murtala, appealed for calm and urged residents not to resort to self-help, advising them to report threats, suspicious behaviour and disputes to the appropriate security authorities.
