Photo: Father Burns 13-yr-old Son With Iron, Ties Him To Window For 3 Days After His Pastor Claimed He Is A Wizard

A Delta state-based father of five, Austin Segun, has been banished from the Eruemukohwarien community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state after it was discovered that he tied his 13-year-old son, Tobi, to a burglar-proof for three days because a Church leader said the boy was a wizard. According to Vanguard, Tobi was rescued by members of the vigilante group in the community who heard him whimpering at about 2am. 

Recounting how he was discovered, one of the members of the vigilante group who spoke on condition of 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 phone while the community Youth Chairman alerted the DPO of the Ughelli ‘A’ Division, who personally came and arrested the suspect.”

The step mother of the victim said they were informed in church that the boy was a wizard and that the victim also confessed to being a wizard. 

“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.”

The victim said his biological mother is dead

“I always run from the house because I am not comfortable. My mother is dead and the woman here is my step-mother.”