Tragedy struck in Abeokuta on Saturday as a middle-aged woman, popularly known as Mama Dada, set herself ablaze in her rented apartment at Oke-Keesi, Itoko area of the Ogun State capital.

An eyewitness, Rasheed Aina, disclosed to newsmen on Sunday that the woman was burnt beyond recognition, saying the entire building was also razed.

Aina, who resides close to the deceased’s residence, explained that the woman set herself ablaze after she was unable to pay back a loan she took from a popular microfinance bank.

“I learnt that the loan was to the tune of N70,000,” he said.

A former member of the microfinance bank, who identified herself simply as Adeogun, said “unprecedented embarrassment” usually befell anyone who refused to pay back the borrowed money at the agreed date.

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“If you refuse to pay them back at the agreed date, you will be treated like trash; you will be embarrassed in a big way, in a manner that your children will forever be ashamed of. I know what I’m saying because I used to be a member of the group.

“One must be a member and a committed one at that before you can be given a reasonable amount of money,” Adeogun revealed.

The Secretary of the Community Development Association (CDA), Micheal Babawale, said the deceased was owing N70,000, adding that because she was unable to pay back the money, she then sent her last born to buy fuel.

“She stylishly discharged the small boy, locked herself up inside the room and wet everywhere with petrol, including herself, and set the whole place on fire,” he said.

It was further gathered that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the State General Hospital in Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he has not been briefed about the incident.

The Star