Landlord “sets inherited building ablaze over tenants’ refusal to pay rent”
A man, identified as Idemudia Obamwonyi, has allegedly set his building on fire over tenants’ refusal to pay rent.
Reports say over 20 shops in the building located at Iwebo lane behind Oba Market were razed.
Idemudia, who inherited the building from his father, was reportedly heard shouting that sympathisers should allow the house burn since he wasn’t getting any money from it.
Many of the shop owners had locked their shops before the fire started.
A resident in the area, Ifaluyi Obasogie, said it was ridiculous that a landlord would do such to his own building.
“We saw people holding him and he was saying let the house burn, I don’t get any money from it.,” Ifeanyi said.
A shop owner identified as Justice Aigbekhan said they have paid their rent but Idemudia kept asking for money claiming that he wants to perform his father’s burial.
“If they are having family issues, they should go and solve it. It is not for them to put us in trouble.”
Another shop owner, Cynthia Obaseki said she lost goods worth N5m to the inferno.
Police have reportedly arrested Idemudia.
