Father burns son with iron, ties him to window after church leader said he was a wizard

A father of five, Austin Segun, who tied his 13-year-old son to a burglar-proof for three days because a Church leader said the boy was a wizard, has been given an ultimatum to leave Eruemukohwarien community, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.

Mr. Segun was said to have been released on bail after he was arrested and detained at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division Police Station over the incident. The victim, Tobi Segun, who just finished his Primary 6 School Leaving Certificate exams, was rescued by a group of vigilante, who heard him whimpering at about 2a.m. 

One of the vigilante members, 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 boy was tied to the window protector while his hands were tied behind him. Confirming the incident, the victim’s step-mother, Mrs. Edijala Favour Segun, 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.
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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.

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.” .

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Recounting his ordeal to Vanguard, 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.”