By Rapheal Ede
Enugu
Police in Enugu state have arrested a middle-aged man, Chinedu Okeke, for alleged torture and abuse of his 14-year-old son identified as Kelechi Goodluck.
Police source said that the suspect, who resides at New GRA Trans Ekulu in Enugu East council area of the state, was said to have engaged in inhuman treatment of Kelechi, whose mother was said to have divorced the suspect.
Confirming the story, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said that Okeke was arrested through intelligence report received by the police.
The spokesperson said the police operatives, who stormed the residence of the suspect on March 15, 2017, found the son, tied with rope and his body was inflicted with injuries reportedly caused by his father under the guise of disciplinary measure.
Amarizu said information at his disposal showed that the suspect was always in the habit of subjecting his son, who he accused of being stubborn, to inhuman treatment.
He added that some of the ill treatments included making him kneel on a stone with his hands tied together and flogging him with wires and other dangerous objects.
The Police image maker said, “The entire body of the boy was found shattered with injuries under the guise of making him to conform to acceptable norms and becoming discipline.
“Following the rescue of little Kelechi with injuries and the arrest of the said father, facts emerged that Kelechi’s mother is not living with the father although there appears to be unresolved marital issues with both parents which left the little boy in the hands of the father.
“Further gathering revealed that Kelechi’s father is however leaving with a woman with four kids belonging to a certain pastor in Enugu who has abandoned the pastor over a yet to be established issue and now Kelechi’s father.
“And in that process allegedly turned the little boy to slave and at times with several and severe inhuman treatment.”
He further disclosed that the rescued boy, told the police that had been undergoing inhuman treatment with his entire body seriously battered and shattered with wire whips.
The spokesperson said the father did not deny the act but blamed the situation as an act of devil, even as he maintained that the essence was to discipline the child whom he accused of being stubborn and indiscipline.
