Two boys bruised in Delta, Lagos

A father simply identified as Wisdom a.k.a Owis, is in police net for flogging his 12-year old son with a hot cutlass in Ughoton community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta state.

The Nation gathered that the incident happened last Wednesday, leaving the son, Efe, with heart-wrenching injuries on the back.

It was not clear what the son may have done to provoke such ill-treatment from the father.

Findings, however, revealed that Wisdom, a welder, regularly beats up the son after smoking substances suspected to be cannabis.

It was learnt that due to his aggressive behavior and penchant for fighting, neighbours stopped interfering whenever he manhandled the child.

Coordinator for Defense of Human Rights, Ebrumede/Okuokoko Unit Kelvin Ejumudo, who intervened on getting wind of the matter, expressed sadness over the development.

Ejumudo, who is also representing youths of Delta state on the Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality, disclosed that the boy was taken for medical treatment, while the father has been in police detention.

He noted that Efe, the father, alongside his girlfriend lived together, as he (the father) was no longer with the mother of Efe.

“Immediately we got information that a father put a knife on fire and brutalized the son, we moved into action. We went to the police station to get an arrest warrant then proceeded to the compound.

“The father hid himself, at first. But with the help of the community, we were able to get him arrested and brought him to Orerokpe Police Station.

“We took the boy for medication, while the father was kept in a cell. Then, we took the boy back to the community and handed him over to an uncle who seemed mature and responsible.

“Neighbours said that is how he always beats up the child each time he smokes,” Ejumudo said.

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He added that the girlfriend who visited the police station, left after “seeing the scenario”.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Edafe Bright, confirmed the incident, stating “he used hot cutlass to flog the son”.

Police yesterday arrested a 33 year-old housewife, Ogochukwu Ezeh for inflicting bodily injury on her 11-year-old brother, Ekwutosinachukwu.

The incident occurred at their residence near Volks area along Mile 2/Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

It was gathered that Ogochukwu beat Ekwutosinachukwu, said to be the last born of their parents, for allegedly failing to take care of her 6 year-old son left in his care while she was out.

Witnesses said the punishment meted on Ekwutosinachukwu by his sister left  lacerations on the back of the boy. It was however not clear whether it was a cane or wire that the suspect used in flogging the boy.

President, International Charity Initiative- Women Development Development Foundation (ICI-WODEF) Mrs Helen Uchendu Ibeji told The Nation that she was in the church when she received a distress call about the housewife who allegedly abused the boy.

Mrs Ibeji said on getting to the scene, the suspect, Ogochukwu, could not offer any reasonable reason for beating the boy “mercilessly”.

On enquiry, Mrs Ibeji said the suspect claimed that the victim was in the habit of leaving her 6-year old son hungry while he goes to the house of their neighbours.

Ogochukwu who claimed to be the “Ada of the family” back in Enugu, said the victim was not the only one in her care as his elder brothers also live with her.

In her account, the suspect said she punished the boy because she doesn’t want him to become “a spoilt boy” and that she was afraid of losing him to bad hands in the area.

Police from Ira Police station yesterday arrested Ogochukwu while an Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Audu, assigned to investigate the case, has obtained her statement.

It was gathered that the matter will be transferred to Ojo Police station today for further investigation.

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