The police in Osun State have arrested a 42-yearold man, simply identified as Obi, after he allegedly abused his son by tying him down and beating him throughout the night for stealing.
The 11-year-old boy, identified as Prosper, was alleged to have stolen an item in the house before his father descended on him, beating him mercilessly.
After Obi had dealt with his son on March 30, 2017, he was said to have also tied him down with rope till the following morning.
Neighbours, who had heard Prosper cry in the middle of that night, were said to have approached Obi’s apartment but discovered that his son was being subjected to some abuse.
The rope used to tie the boy was sad to have inflicted injuries on his hands as he has found it hard to walk properly again.
Also, his hands had become swollen up before he was untied by his father. Obi’s neighbours were said to have reported the matter to the Welfare Department in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs, which immediately notified the police.
Officials of the Welfare Department took the matter up by taking the young victim to the State Hospital at Asubiaro in Osogbo for medical attention.
Series of tests were said to have been conducted on Prosper in order to ascertain the extent of the injury he had suffered while the ordeal in the hands of his father lasted.
One of the medical experts who attended to the boy, Dr. Agnes Eboo, of the state Specialist Hospital said that his chest was strained in the course of the punishment by his father. Eboo added that the victim would still be observed for further diagnosis.
She condemned the action of Prospers’ father, saying it was barbaric. Also reacting to the incident, the Press Officer of the Welfare Unit in the state, Miss Abisola Ariwodola, condemned the act.
Ariwodola said that the welfare unit would not condone any form of child and women abuse in the state. She called on residents and other relevant agencies to be vigilant and report any form of abuse to the ministry and law enforcement agencies for immediate and necessary actions.
The police said that Obi had been arrested, adding that investigation to further ascertain the cause of his action was going on. According to the police officer in charge of the case, S.A Adejoyin, the suspect would be prosecuted if found culpable.
