As messages of condolence pour in to the Igala paramount ruler, Attah Matthew Alhaji Opaluwa, over the death of his sister in Idah, the headquarters of his kingdom, the recurring question on the streets of Idah and across the state remain: who did it and why?
The Police in Kogi State, where over two million Igala people reside, say investigations have commenced, but it has not doused the palpable fear in the ancient city.
Among the mourners have been the Minister of Mines and Steel, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; and Senator representing the Kogi East Srnatorial District, Jibrin Echo how.
Recall that reports said suspected arsonists set the 75-year-old Meimunat Sani and granddaughter, Hajarat, ablaze in the early hours of Thursday, at Oketekwe in Idah.
It was reported that a group of persons stormed the home of the septugenarian with fuel and set it on fire, while she was asleep with her daughter, and five years old granddaughter.
Said the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya: “Someone came to the station and reported that there was a fire outbreak in one of the rooms in the house in their family compound or so. So, when they rushed to the place, they found three people.
“A five-year-old girl was burnt to death while two elderly persons were rushed to the hospital. One died yesterday (Thursday) and the information I got today (Friday) is that the third person died today. We have commenced an investigation into the matter”.