Tricycle rider sets wife, 6 children ablaze before taking his own life

A horrifying domestic tragedy has struck the quiet community of Breman-Dunkwa in the Central Region, where a 42-year-old tricycle rider, identified as Yaw Afriyie, popularly known as Batman, allegedly set his wife and six children ablaze before taking his own life.

The shocking incident occurred around midnight on October 31, 2025, leaving the entire community in disbelief and mourning.

According to police sources and eyewitness accounts, the incident was reportedly triggered by a domestic misunderstanding between Afriyie and his wife, whose name has not yet been released.

Neighbours say the couple had been involved in a heated argument earlier in the evening, though the cause of the dispute remains unclear.

Investigations suggest that around 12midnight, Afriyie called out to his wife, asking her to check on their children, who were already asleep in one of the rooms.

Unbeknownst to her, Afriyie had allegedly planned a sinister attack.

Once his wife entered the room, Afriyie is said to have poured petrol on her and the sleeping children — including their grandchild — locked the door from outside, and set the room ablaze.

The flames engulfed the house within minutes, giving the victims no chance to escape.

Neighbours, upon hearing screams and noticing the fire, rushed to the scene but were unable to save the family due to the intensity of the blaze.

The entire household was consumed by the fire before firefighters and police could arrive.

After the horrifying act, Afriyie reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself nearby.

Police from the Breman-Dunkwa have since launched investigations into the case to establish the exact cause of the misunderstanding that led to the tragedy.

The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Dunkwa Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.