By Ajuma Edwina Ameh
A 10-year-old old boy in Ikot Udota, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, has been rescued by the Child’s and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN), after 18 months of being brutalised and shackled by his father and stepmother for being possessed by demons.
The victim, Ekemini, was said to have been constantly tortured, starved and subjected to various inhuman treatment by his father and stepmom.
The Head of CRARN, Mr Sam Ikpe Utauma, who disclosed this on Monday, said the abuse had been ongoing for 18 months, adding that the situation took a turn for the worse when Ekemini’s father began to shackle and leave him in the backyard overnight, without clothes.
He said the victim’s father was arrested following a tip-off by a concerned CRARN volunteer, but was later bailed out by members of the community.
While condemning the brutality, Utauma added that the organisation will be following up with the situation to ensure that the child is safe and out of harm’s way.
“The Child’s and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) is working with the police in Eket to unravel the probable cause of a father frequently tying up and manhandling his 10-year-old son in Ikot Udota, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
“Little Ekemini has had a rough time with his father and stepmother in the family home for the past eighteen months. His situation took a turn for the worst the last eight months when his father began to tie and shackle him then drop him in the backyard sometime without food, persistent beatings and viciously manhandling him.
“His appalling condition caught the attention of a CRARN volunteer through a tip-off, and the police was alerted which led to the father’s arrest, unshackling and rescue of the young lad.
“The members of the community quickly rushed and bailed out the man who didn’t deny his act of brutality on his child but merely boasted that he has the right to treat his child as his he wished.
“Ekemini has complained bitterly about the unrelenting abuse and battering he endures in his family and says he fears for his life.
“While condemning this reprehensible act of brutality against this child, we will be following up with the situation to ensure that the child is safe and out of harm’s way,” Utauma said.
