A man named Deji Adenuga on Tuesday allegedly set eight family members of his separated girlfriend ablaze on Adetuwo Street, Igbodigo town, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Adenuga was dating a girl in the family, identified as Titi; but she later called off the relationship.

In reprisal, the suspect was alleged to have set ablazethe room where the family lived.

Adenuga was angry because the girl (Titi) he was dating said she was no longer interested in the relationship. In order to deal with the girl, he poured petrol in the room where all members of her family were sleeping and set them ablaze.

But he missed his target because the girl was not in the room at the time he set the room ablaze.

Eight members of the family were severely burnt. Five of them have been confirmed dead, while the remaining three were rushed to the Trauma Centre, Ondo, where they are receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Femi Joseph said the police had begun investigation into the incident.