A tragic incident unfolded in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where a 40-year-old woman, whose name has been withheld, reportedly set herself on fire following a divorce.

The event was confirmed by DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, in a statement released from Dutse on Friday.

According to Shiisu, the woman, a resident of Garin Mallam village, allegedly doused herself in petrol before igniting the flames that led to her death.

He recounted the details of the incident, explaining that on Thursday at around 7:40 a.m., the police command received a distressing report about a woman who had burned herself beyond recognition on the outskirts of Garin Mallam.

Upon receiving the report, officers from the Guri Divisional Police Headquarters were immediately dispatched to the scene.

They confirmed the horrifying event, and after inspecting the site, transported the woman’s charred body to the hospital. The remains were later handed over to her family for burial according to local customs.

Shiisu revealed that initial investigations indicated the woman had been battling depression for several months, which reportedly worsened after her husband divorced her. This emotional turmoil is believed to have driven her to take the drastic action of self-immolation.

In response to the tragic situation, the Commissioner of Police for Jigawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Abdullahi, urged the public to seek spiritual solace and guidance during challenging times.

He stressed the importance of placing one’s faith in Almighty Allah to find peace and resolution in difficult circumstances. Furthermore, Abdullahi encouraged individuals facing personal crises to seek advice and counselling from elders and trusted community members.

He emphasized that such steps could help prevent tragic outcomes like this, where emotional despair leads to irreversible actions.

This heartbreaking incident has drawn attention to the need for increased mental health awareness and support for individuals going through emotional distress, particularly in rural communities where access to counselling services may be limited.