The death toll in Saturday’s arson at Ejigbo, Lagos, has risen from four to five.
One of the two hospitalise victims, Segun Shofolabo, died early yesterday. The other victim is in critical condition.
Shofolabo died at Gbagada General Hospital, after he complained of difficulty in breathing.
Mrs Mary Shofolabo, Taiwo Shofolabo, Iredamola Shofolabo and Kazeem died on Saturday.
Pastor Isaac Shofolabo’s girlfriend identified as Iya Rache at the wee hours of Saturday locked his wife and children inside the house and set the apartment ablaze.
Shofolabo, the owner of the Celestial Church of God, Joy of Lord Parish situated in the same compound where the incident occurred went for a vigil at another parish.
At the time The Nation visited the hospital on Wednesday, Segun who had a drip connected through his leg, catheter on his private part, was restless and in pains.
Elijah Obadina, the deceased’s grandson, who was also badly injured, was beside Segun.
Family members and sympathisers took turns in fanning them.
According to Bunmi Shofolabo who confirmed Segun’s death, an oxygen mask was fixed on him when he complained about breathing difficulty.
She said: “Later in the night, he complained that he was not breathing well and the nurses brought Oxygen and fixed it on him. But he was still struggling and restless. He was trying to remove the Oxygen but we begged him to leave it so he can live. No one knew when he took off the drip on his leg and removed the mask. He died around 2am.”
Meanwhile the Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the incident.
It was gathered that policemen from Ejigbo Division on instruction from the command headquarters, visited the residence yesterday.
Before the police operatives got to the compound, it was gathered that the suspect, Iya Rachel, who was said to have sneaked in, escaped.
Her disappearance was said to have irked youths in the street who broke into her house, thinking she locked herself inside.
They were said to have raided the place and attempted to set her room on fire.
It was gathered that she got information about the raid and called a friend of hers to go to the house but the friend refused.
The Nation gathered that the police were also working on interrogating all the tenants within the premises, to ascertain who was aiding the suspect in order to get her.
It was also gathered that some detectives visited the hospital yesterday morning to ask Obadina questions in relation to the incident.
Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos said the command would get to the root of the matter and ensure justice.