BY PEACE AIKHUERE – CALEB
IN a shocking incident that has left the community of Okirighwre in Sapele, Delta State, in disbelief, a 43-year-old man named Silas Ossai is currently on the run after allegedly brutalizing his son.
The incident occurred when Mr Ossai discovered that his son had eaten at a neighbour’s house. Infuriated by this, he allegedly locked his son indoors and proceeded to flog the child beyond reason, warning the boy not to make a sound.
An eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared the harrowing details with journalists, saying “After inflicting multiple injuries on the boy and beating him to a stupor, he locked him indoors for three days, preventing him from going to school.
‘’It was only on the third day that another neighbour discovered the boy’s injuries and immediately contacted one of Mr Ossai’s friends, who then took the child to a local chemist for treatment.”
It should be noted that Mr Ossai has been separated from the boy’s mother for several years, and the responsibility of caring for the child had fallen on the grandparents, who brought him to the father two years ago. “The mother, upon learning of the incident, rushed to find her son. However, the boy’s father, in a fit of rage, threatened to harm her if she ever approached the child, prompting her to seek assistance from the police,” explained the concerned neighbour.
While the police have yet to confirm the report, a reliable security source revealed to journalists that the boy has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
“The injuries, particularly those on his back and buttocks, are severe. He is currently receiving medical attention, but we have been unsuccessful in apprehending the father. We have conducted three visits to his residence thus far,” said the source, who requested anonymity.
Rights activist, Mr. Kingsley Imade, moved by the sight of the battered child, is calling on the police to ensure that justice is served. Imade expressed his disbelief and sorrow, saying, “It is disheartening to witness a father subject his son to such brutality.
‘’I strongly believe that he must have been under the influence of drugs, and he should face the full legal consequences of his actions.”
