A middle-aged woman, suspected to be mentally unstable, has died after setting herself on fire at the family compound of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident, explaining that the woman, who was once married and had children, sustained severe first-degree burns after pouring petrol on herself and striking a match.

Eyewitnesses recounted that she arrived at the residence on September 26 in a commercial tricycle, carrying a gallon. She reportedly asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, daughter of the late Prime Minister and Chairperson of BASOVCA, but was told she was not at home. Moments later, the woman moved to the Zaure (main entrance), doused herself with petrol, and lit the fire.

Her loud cries drew people to the scene, who attempted to extinguish the flames with water, but the fire worsened. She was eventually rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where she later died from her injuries.

According to police reports, the woman was the daughter of a late Sharia Court Judge in Bauchi. She reportedly told rescuers before her death that she did not know how she came into possession of the petrol or why she poured it on herself. Investigations revealed she had a history of mental illness that developed after the birth of her last child.

Police spokesperson, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, described the event as “most unfortunate,” adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a thorough investigation.

The police commiserated with the woman’s family, praying for strength to bear the tragic loss.