Tragedy struck in Abeokuta on Saturday as a middle-aged woman, popularly known as Mama Dada, set herself ablaze in her rented apartment in Oke-Keesi, Itoko area of Abeokuta.

A witness, Rasheed Aina, who spoke with journalists on Sunday, said the woman was burnt beyond recognition as the entire building was razed.

Mr Aina, who resides close to the deceased’s residence, explained that the woman killed herself after she could not repay a loan she took from a popular microfinance bank.

“I learnt that the loan was to the tune of N70,000,” he said.

A former member of the microfinance bank, who identified herself simply as Adeogun, stressed that ‘unprecedented embarrassment’ usually befell anyone who refused to pay back the borrowed money at the agreed date.

“If you refuse to pay them back at the agreed date, you will be treated like trash; you will be embarrassed in a big way, in a manner that your children will forever be ashamed of. I know what I’m saying because I used to be a group member.

“One must be a member and a committed one at that before you can be given a reasonable amount of money,” Mrs Adeogun said.

The secretary of the Community Development Association (CDA), Micheal Babawale, said that because she was unable to pay back the money, she sent her lastborn to buy fuel.

“She stylishly discharged the small boy, locked herself up inside the room and wet everywhere with petrol, including herself, and set the whole place on fire,” he said.

The remains of the deceased had been deposited at the State General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told journalists that he had not been briefed about the incident. 

(NAN)