A nine-year-old boy who was chained in Ogun State for
weeks before his rescue on Friday, was given the horrifying
punishment for allegedly stealing, police and the Nigeria
Civil Defence Corps have said.
The NSCDC had said in a statement on Saturday said its
personnel rescued Taiwo Korede from the Celestial Church
of Christ (Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo) at Ajibawo in Ado
Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State.
The statement said Korede was rescued while in chains, and
that the case had been transferred to the appropriate
authority for further investigation.
Three photographs, including one showing an emaciated
Korede in chains, were attached to the one-paragraph
statement by the NSCDC.
Police later said that Korede was chained by the neck to a
heavy log of wood in a room for “more than a month”.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command,
Muyiwa Adejobi, said the boy was chained by his own
father, a pastor in the church, who is currently on the run.
But Mr. Adejobi said the rescue operation was carried out
by “police detectives” following a tip off from a neighbour
in the community.
“The police operatives of the Command attached to
Onipanu Division, Otta, on Friday, 23rd July, rescued one
Korede Taiwo, M, 9, from where he had been chained on
his neck to a heavy log of wood in a room by his biological
father Pastor Taiwo Francis, m, of THE KEY OF JOY
CELESTIAL CHURCH, Ajibawo area, via Atan Otta, in
Ado Odo Otta Local Government Area of Ogun State for
more than a month,” he said.
He said the child’s step-mother, Kehinde Taiwo, who has
been arrested by the police, accused the boy of stealing.
The claim that police rescued the boy could not be verified.
The NSCDC was first to provide details and photos of the
boy in captivity and after his rescue.
In what seemed an attempt to counter the police’s claim,
the NSCDC released more details and photos of the rescue
later on Saturday.
A statement by the NSCDC’s Ogun State PRO, Kareem
Olanrewaju, said Korede was chained for repeatedly
stealing soup prepared by his step mother.
“She reported to the Father who took step by chaining his
hand and legs. This situation was on like that until a Good
Samaritan informed NSCDC officials on surveillance patrol
of critical infrastructure in the area, they immediately
swung into action and ensure the boy was immediately
rescued,” the corps said.
He said church members, led by the step-mother, Kehinde,
had attempted to stop NSCDC officials from rescuing the
boy.
“According to the information from officer in charge of
Ado-Odo NSCDC Division who led the rescue operation,
the boy had been chained for two weeks at the very
Celestial Church of Christ (Key of Joy Parish) the boy was
tired and pail, he was not able to talk when he was initially
rescued.
On getting to the church there was serious resistance by
members led by the pastor’s wife Kehinde, but Civil
defence Corps men insisted, and they were able to force
their way into the church premises. The boy was actually
under lock and key.
They quickly took him to the office for necessary entries
and documentation and proceeded to the General Hospital,
Ota.
“The boy was bath and one Dr. Akintunde asked NSCDC
officials who took him there to give him lucosade boost,
they then called on whether to cut the chains so as to enable
them administer treatment. Before NSCDC left the hospital,
he has been responding to treatment as he has started
talking.
However, the Hospital Medical Director one Dr. Osinbajo
who came later assures the Corps that the boy will get
necessary medical attention needed.
“Meanwhile, the Corps has since liaised with the police at
Atan, who promised to continue with the investigation and
do all necessary things needed.”
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Description : A nine-year-old boy who was chained in Ogun State for weeks before his rescue on Friday, was given the horrifying punishment for allege...