8th October, 2025
A Plateau-based clergyman, Pastor Mwoltok Benjamin Dalong, has refuted a viral social media claim alleging that his younger sister, Mrs. Retyit Dalong from Mangu, set her husband ablaze out of jealousy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pastor Dalong described the story as “a baseless and heartless rumour,” clarifying that the Nigerian Army has officially cleared his sister of any wrongdoing after a thorough investigation.
According to him, the Army’s findings confirmed that the incident was an accident caused by the victim’s own actions. “The Army concluded that the fire outbreak resulted from the husband’s negligence while handling petrol and a light burner during an altercation. The flames accidentally caught and engulfed him,” Dalong stated, citing a report from a citizen journalist that aligned with the family’s account.
He further explained that before his passing, the deceased husband gave a statement from his hospital bed, exonerating his wife of any involvement in the tragic incident.
Pastor Dalong expressed concern over the rapid spread of falsehoods on social media, quoting Mark Twain: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”
He urged the public to verify information before sharing, emphasizing that “behind every viral post is a real person with a family, emotions, and reputation.”
The cleric also extended gratitude to those who sought clarification privately, reaffirming that his sister’s innocence has been fully established by competent authorities.
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