A 23-year-old palm wine tapper, Kwaku Prince, popularly known as “On God,” has been arrested for allegedly setting ablaze the house of his girlfriend and her family at Subri Nkwanta in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.

A relative of the victims, Poulina Tweneboah Koduah, said she received a distress call from family members indicating that the suspect had stormed their home in search of 19-year-old Benedicta Kudjo Felicia, a student of Queen Senior High School, who is his alleged girlfriend.

According to Koduah, the family had previously warned Prince to stay away from their home because Felicia was still in school and they did not approve of the relationship.

Despite the warnings, the suspect reportedly insisted he loved Felicia and threatened to burn down the house if they refused to let him marry her.

Koduah said she later received another call informing her that the suspect had allegedly carried out the threat and set the house on fire. Felicia was rushed to the Bibiani Government Hospital but died from severe burns.

Their mother, 60-year-old Mary Andoh, also passed away at the Anhwiaso Community Hospital.

Another victim, 22-year-old Dora Adoma Kudjo, who had been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment, was later confirmed dead.

The suspect has been arrested by the police and is assisting with investigations. The bereaved family and community leaders are appealing to authorities to ensure that justice is served.