Imo Police Arrest 80-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Arson of Family Home

The Imo State Police Command has arrested an 80-year-old man, Mr. Cyril Duru, over the alleged burning of a family house in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred in Umueze Orogwe community and is believed to be linked to a prolonged dispute over the ownership of the property.

According to a family member, Mr. Uche Duru, the suspect allegedly set the six-room building on fire following disagreements surrounding the ownership of the house.
Family members reportedly watched in shock as the house was engulfed by flames. Despite efforts to salvage some belongings, the fire completely destroyed the building, leaving nothing behind.
However, Mr. Cyril Duru has denied the allegation, claiming that his late brother’s wife, Mrs. Marita Chiayalam Duru, and her children were responsible for the fire. He alleged that they had been using a gas cooker in the house against his repeated warnings about the dangers involved.
Reacting to the claim, Mrs. Marita Duru dismissed the accusation, alleging that Mr. Cyril had on several occasions threatened to kill them and burn down the house. She further claimed that on the night before the incident, she saw him with a bottle containing petrol and that he had been ordering them to vacate the house, insisting that the property belonged to him.
Corroborating her account, the village head, Nze Ukachi Nzeka, said some youths in the community attempted to put out the fire but were allegedly stopped by Mr. Cyril.
The police confirmed that Mr. Cyril Duru has been taken into custody in connection with the incident, adding that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding it.