Woman sets self ablaze in Bauchi

When Farida Tanimu arrived at the family residence of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, at Kofar Ram in Bauchi metropolis, no one suspected she had come to take her own life. She got to the house around 10 a.m., dressed in an abaya (a long gown) and hijab. Farida did not speak […]

When Farida Tanimu arrived at the family residence of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, at Kofar Ram in Bauchi metropolis, no one suspected she had come to take her own life.

She got to the house around 10 a.m., dressed in an abaya (a long gown) and hijab. Farida did not speak to anyone but kept wandering around the premises before eventually sitting at the entrance of the prime minister’s sitting room, directly opposite the main gate.

After some time, a domestic worker approached her and asked if she had come to see Hajiya Yelwa Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).

Farida responded that she did not know Hajiya Yelwa and was not there to see her. The worker left her and continued his duties.

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Moments later, Farida pulled out a 75cl plastic water bottle she was holding, poured its contents on her head, and set herself ablaze.

The fire quickly spread to the roof of the entrance structure, drawing the attention of people outside who thought there was a fire outbreak.

The Chief Security Officer of the residence, Inspector Abdulmajid Yakubu, said, “People around rushed to the house thinking it was a fire outbreak.”

“We all rushed towards Farida with the intention of quenching the fire and saving her life. However, she ran into the family section of the house, screaming for help.

“We followed her inside, and with the help of a mechanic, Baba Dan Baki, we fetched water from a nearby source and poured it on her.

“Though we succeeded in putting out the flames, the burns on her body were severe, as almost her entire body was affected. Even in that condition, Farida was still alive and speaking to us.

“We immediately rushed her to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“On admission, she received the necessary medical attention, but sadly, she could not survive the injuries and died on Sunday.

“While on her hospital bed, I personally spoke with her. When I asked why she burnt herself, she told me it was because she was tired of this world.”

Inspector Yakubu, who revealed that he had once been Farida’s classmate, described her as humble and jovial.

“The first time she came, I didn’t recognise her until we went to the hospital and I engaged her in conversation. It is a really touching and terrifying experience to see a human being burning alive. Sincerely speaking, I was moved by this unfortunate incident.”

He explained that Farida’s sister later confirmed she had been battling mental health issues, which might have triggered the act.

“This is something from God, and He takes life at any time and in whichever way He so desires. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannah Firdaus,” he prayed.

A trader near the residence, Malam Auwal Shehu, who was among those who rushed to the scene when the fire spread to the roof of the entrance, also recounted the experience.

“At first, we thought it was a fire outbreak, so we rushed with the intention of putting it out. But on arrival, we discovered it was a woman burning alive. It was a terrifying moment,” he said.

“Although we managed to put out the flames and keep her alive for a while, Farida eventually died from the severe injuries she sustained.

“People tried their best to save her, but because Allah had destined that she would die in this way, no one could prevent her from burning herself,” he said.

Another resident who witnessed the incident told Daily Trust that they were drawn to the scene by thick smoke rising from the direction of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister’s residence.

“We ran towards the house with the intention of putting out the flames. By the time we managed to extinguish the fire, about 70 percent of Farida’s body had already been burnt.

“The most unfortunate part was that while we were trying to quench the fire, Farida kept screaming and running in desperation for her life. No one could dare hold her while she was burning.

“Within just a few minutes, her entire body was severely damaged by the flames. Some particles of her burnt skin even scattered across the premises as she ran from one end of the compound to another, crying for help,” he said.

When our correspondent visited the residence on Thursday, the section of the house affected by the fire had already been renovated, with new roofing and walls in place.

Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed that the police have opened an investigation into the incident.

He said preliminary findings indicated that the deceased had a history of mental illness, which reportedly began after the birth of her last child.

“She was rescued alive and taken to ATBUTH, where she was admitted and her statement taken before she later passed away,” Wakil added.