A father of five identified as Austin Segun, who had tied his 13-year-old son to the burglar-proof after been declared a wizard has been arrested and told to leave Eruemukohwarien community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State
According to the report gathered from Vanguard, Mr. Segun was said to have taken to the words of a church leader who declared the 13-year-old boy identified as Tobi a wizard. Hence he punished him by burning his palms with a hot iron and tying him to the burglar-proof for three days
Due to this act, he was arrested and detained at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division Police Station over the incident
The 13-year-old victim identified as Tobi Segun had just finished his Primary 6 School Leaving Certificate exams and was rescued by a group of vigilante, who heard him whimpering at about 2 a.m.
Tobi was tied by his father to the window for three days after he was burnt by iron.
One of the members of a vigilante group, who rescued the victim, told Vanguard that during their routine night patrol, they heard the faint cry of the boy saying he wants to die and that he can no longer bear the torture.
The member of the vigilante group, who pleaded anonymity, said:
“Immediately, we alerted the community Youth Chairman and others. When we gained access into the house, we saw the boy alone, tied to the window protector while his hands were tied behind him.
“Though the parents were not at home, the landlord called the father on the phone while the community Youth Chairman alerted the DPO of the Ughelli ‘A’ Division, who personally came and arrested the suspect.”
Speaking on why he was tied to the burglar-proof, the Step-mother to the victim, Mrs. Edijala Favour said:
“They told us that he is a wizard at a Church we went to for prayers and he also admitted that he is a wizard.
“At a point, my husband had to use a hot iron to burn his palm and feet owing to his misbehaviour. Despite this, he opened the fridge in the house and ate everything. “This led to my husband tying his hands and legs to the protector. He had just been tied for three days before we were arrested.
“On that day, our landlord called us on the phone that we should come back to the house. On getting home, we were faced with a crowd that started hitting my husband and me.
“After some minutes, the Police came and arrested my husband, while I was asked to take Tobi to the Ughelli Central Hospital for treatment.
“My husband was able to secure his release, but the IPO in charge of the case ordered that we should move out of the community. This was documented and we all agreed to it including leaders of the community.”
Recounting the stress he had gone through after the death of his mother, Tobi said:
“I always run from the house because I am not comfortable. My mother is dead and the woman here is my step-mother.”
Follow us on Facebook – Dailyfamily.ng, Twitter – @DailyfamilyNG and instagram @dailyfamilyng for more updates
