Residents of Kugbagbokope, a small farming and fishing community in the Ketu South Municipality, are grappling with a shocking incident in which a man allegedly set his elder brother’s house ablaze without apparent reason.
The disturbing event unfolded around 2 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The victim, Mr. Joe Kugbagbo, a 60-year-old farmer, suffered tremendous losses as his home, made of coconut fronds went up in flames.
In a heartfelt interview with the media, a tearful Mr. Kugbagbo shared his distressing experience: “I was resting in my room this afternoon when I started feeling some intense heat and smoke around my room. By the time I rushed out, the room was burning”.
He further lamented, “I lost some kentes I have woven, clothes my children bought for me, and about Gh¢1,500 I saved from working. Now, I am left with only one ‘kniker’ and a shirt, and I don’t even know where to sleep”.
Assembly Member for Nogokpo-Ativuta Electoral Area, Jonas Agbagba, reported that the suspect, Gabriel Kugbagbo, has been arrested and handed over to the Agbozume Police Command.
“The suspect confessed to pouring a substance suspected to be kerosene on the house,” Agbagba revealed.
“Because the building was made of coconut fronds, the fire spread quickly and destroyed everything”.
Eyewitnesses revealed that earlier in the day, Gabriel had made a threatening comment, suggesting he would “show him,” although no recent conflicts between the brothers were known.
As the fire blazed and the suspect was detained, outrage among community members escalated, leading to an almost lynching.
However, Agbagba stepped in to prevent mob justice.
Currently, the suspect is in custody at the Agbozume Police Station while investigations continue.
