I did it because of a family curse: Ondo State police arrest a 64-year-old father for setting his five stepchildren on fire after they allegedly beat him.

Police officers have detained Mr. Ojo Joseph, a 64-year-old father and wood merchant, for lighting five of his stepchildren on fire in the Fagun Crescent neighborhood of Ondo State.

The suspect said that for months, his wife—who is also the mother of the kids—had been refusing to have sex with him. It was learned that the wife had five children from her first unsuccessful marriage before giving birth to twins for the suspect.

Only minor injuries were sustained by the 18-month-old twins and their mother, who was also in the room that the suspect set on fire. But when questioned, the suspect claimed that a family curse was to blame for his behavior. “I blame my action on a spell,” he stated. I realized my error even if it wasn’t my intention. I felt bad about what I done to my wife.

Ojo is accused of pouring gasoline inside the room where the kids were playing and lighting them on right after.