A 41-year-old man, Bassey Ekpo, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command for allegedly setting a house on fire at 8 Miles in Calabar, the state capital.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah, the incident was reported on Friday at the Ikot Omin Police Division by the occupant of the affected building, Ekemini Stephen.
Eitokpah said Ekpo was apprehended with the assistance of neighbours and subsequently taken to the police station.
The police spokesperson disclosed that during preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly told investigators that his 61-year-old mother had sent him to carry out the act.
“With the assistance of neighbours, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the Police Station. During preliminary questioning, he allegedly claimed that he was sent by his 61-year-old mother, who is currently at large and has been named as the alleged instigator,” part of the statement said.
He added that police operatives had visited the scene and taken photographs to support the investigation and preserve evidence.
Eitokpah stated that detectives were continuing with the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish whether other individuals were involved.
The command assured members of the public that anyone found responsible would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
