One Chibueze Njoku of Umuekwunne community in Imo has been arrested for setting ablaze his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Uloma Njoku, for allegedly maltreating his dog.
The suspect was said to have set his victim on fire for pouring a cup of water on the dog.
According to an eyewitness, the mother of three had served her children lunch and was washing at the back of the house when the dog drank from the children’s cup.
The eyewitness said the victim threw the remaining water on the dog when her children told her that their uncle’s dog had drunk from their water.
Njoku came out from his room and demanded to know why the late Uloma drenched his dog and was not pacified by the victm’s explanation.
While the victim continued her washing, her brother-in-law spread fuel on her and set her ablaze.
The witness said neighbours took her to a nearby health centre where she died from the burns.
The neighbours, who handed the suspect over to the police, described him as a terror to the community.
The Public Relations Officer of the Imo Police Command, Mr Vitalis Onugu, confirmed the incident.
Onugu said the suspect was being investigated by the State Criminal Investigations Department for prosecution.