Society Gists

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 10, 2024, at No. 65 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 family 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 time, with allegations of abandonment and 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 allegedly triggered a violent outburst. The husband, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly assaulted her and sent her out of the house along with their children.

Months later, following family intervention, the couple reconciled and agreed to mend their differences. However, the husband reportedly warned her never to return to her former lifestyle.

That warning turned deadly. According to eyewitness accounts, the husband caught Fatima in another intimate encounter with her female partner and became furious upon discovering that she had allegedly introduced their daughter to the same act. In a fit of rage, he is said to have doused the house with petrol and set it ablaze while Fatima was asleep in her bedroom.

She reportedly woke up struggling to breathe and managed to escape through the kitchen door, sustaining severe burns in the process.

After the incident, Fatima allegedly confided in close acquaintances, admitting to her involvement in same-sex relationships — a controversial and criminalized issue in Nigeria. She later sought treatment at Almat Medical Centre.

Efforts to reach her for further comment have remained unsuccessful, as she has not been seen or heard from since her discharge from the hospital. Her children are currently with extended family members, according to those close to the situation.

The case has ignited conversations around the dangers of domestic violence, societal rejection, and the criminalization of non-heteronormative identities in Nigeria. Advocacy groups continue to call for stronger protections for victims and a more humane approach to sexuality-related issues.

This tragic incident remains a powerful reflection of the harsh realities many women and marginalized individuals face in silence.

This is a developing story.