A mother of two narrowly escaped death after her husband allegedly set their house on fire following revelations of her involvement in a same-sex relationship. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at No. 63 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.
The victim, identified as Fatima Issa, reportedly sustained severe burns while attempting to escape from the inferno. She was later admitted to Almat Medical Centre, where she is currently receiving treatment.
According to neighbors and police sources, Fatima, who has a son and a daughter, had been enduring years of domestic abuse and neglect from her husband. It was gathered that the couple’s relationship deteriorated significantly over the years, with allegations of abandonment and a lack of sexual intimacy. Sources claim Fatima eventually found emotional and physical solace in a same-sex relationship — a decision that reportedly spanned nearly five years before her husband discovered the affair.
When confronted, Fatima is said to have pleaded with her husband, explaining that she no longer felt a sexual connection to him and had lost the urge for penetrative intercourse. However, her confession sparked a violent outburst. The husband, whose identity remains undisclosed by police, allegedly assaulted her severely and sent her out of the house with their children.
Months later, after pressure and intervention from both families, the couple reconciled and agreed to work through their differences. However, the husband reportedly issued a chilling warning that he would kill her if she returned to her old ways.
Tragically, his threat materialized. Reports say the husband caught Fatima in an intimate encounter with her female partner once again and was enraged to discover that she had allegedly introduced their only daughter to the act. Enraged beyond control, he allegedly doused the house with petrol and set it on fire while Fatima was asleep in her bedroom.
She reportedly woke up gasping for air and managed to escape through the kitchen, sustaining severe burns in the process.
After her escape, Fatima proceeded to the police to file a report against her husband. In her statement, she also admitted to being a lesbian — an act considered a criminal offense under Nigerian law, which criminalizes same-sex relationships with up to 14 years in prison.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed receiving the report and stated that investigations are ongoing. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the husband, who fled the scene after the arson attack.
Efforts to reach Fatima for further comments have been unsuccessful, as she has remained incommunicado since the incident. Police say the children are currently in the custody of relatives pending further investigation.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with rights activists condemning both the act of domestic violence and the criminalization of consensual same-sex relationships, urging for reforms and more inclusive dialogue.
This tragic case is a sobering reminder of the intersection of gender-based violence, sexuality, and societal norms in Nigeria.
This is a developing story.
*Mystery Deepens as Woman and Daughter Disappear After Domestic Violence, Arson Incident in Yaba*
Weeks after a harrowing domestic violence incident that saw a woman narrowly escape death in an arson attack allegedly orchestrated by her husband, the whereabouts of Fatima Issa and her teenage daughter remain unknown.
Fatima had reportedly been recovering from serious burns sustained during the February 20, 2024, fire at their residence on 63 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos. The fire was allegedly set by her husband after he discovered she was involved in a same-sex relationship and had allegedly introduced their daughter into the act.
Fatima, a mother of two, had previously reported the matter to the police, admitting in her statement to being a lesbian — a confession that carries legal consequences under Nigerian law. She was later taken to Almat Medical Centre for treatment, where she was last seen.
Since then, all efforts to trace her or her daughter have proved futile. Hospital sources confirmed that Fatima was discharged under undisclosed circumstances, and no official records indicate where she was headed. Close relatives and neighbors say they have not seen or heard from her since.
“She just disappeared,” a neighbor told reporters. “One moment we were told she was recuperating, and the next thing we heard was that she had left the hospital. No one knows where she went or what happened to her daughter.”
Authorities are expressing concern over the sudden disappearance. The Lagos State Police Command has acknowledged the ongoing investigation and confirmed that efforts are being intensified to locate both the mother and her daughter.
“The case is still under investigation,” said a senior police officer who requested anonymity. “We are working with relevant agencies to track her down, both for her safety and to assist in the ongoing criminal investigation.”
The accused husband, who allegedly set the house ablaze and fled the scene, also remains at large.
The case has sparked national discourse on the complexities of domestic abuse, sexuality, and the legal system in Nigeria. Human rights advocates are urging the authorities to prioritize the safety of the victims while re-examining punitive laws that further endanger vulnerable individuals.
For now, the fate of Fatima Issa and her daughter remains uncertain — a silence that is both alarming and tragic.
**Editor’s Note:**
Anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of Fatima Issa or her daughter is encouraged to contact the nearest police station or send a confidential tip to us here.
