A bar manager,Mr Bidemi Shittu, has poured petrol on a 13-year-old boy, Ezekiel Emmanuel and set him ablaze over accusation that he stole N1, 500 from his bar where the latter served as a bartender.
The incident happened around 11:30pm on Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Akoka area of Ibafo, Ogun State.
The suspect said to be the manager of Golden Fingers Bar has fled the scene and is currently on the police trail.
Punch reports that Shittu had accused Emmanuel of theft on Sunday,February 8, 2015 and allegedly bound Emmanuel’s hands and feet in a room in his bar till the following day with hope that he would admit that he stole the money.
When the teenager refused to own up to the crime, Shiyyu said to be married with children dragged him to the front of the bar and subsequently set him on fire after pouring petrol on him.
It took the intervention of some residents to rescue the victim and rushed him to a nearby private hospital where he was initially treated before being referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
The Golden Fingers bar hasbeen sealed off by men of the Ibafo Police Division after they were informed about the incident.
The victim’s uncle, Mr. Toyin Olayemi, on Thursday, February 12, 2015 disclosed that Emmanuel is an apprentice at a generator repairs workshop and worked on a part time basis in the bar without any salary.
He said, “Emmanuel’s father is not around. He went to his hometown in Ekiti because he fell ill. On Tuesday morning when they told me about Emmanuel. I rushed to the private hospital and I saw him on the bed, severely burnt from head to abdomen.
“He was working on part-time basis in the bar, although Bidemi did not pay him any salary. Emmanuel is also learning generator repair at a workshop. I was told that the manager accused him of stealing N1,500.
He added, “Despite pleas from neighbours that they would repay him, he waited till everyone had gone to sleep and brought out the boy and burnt his body.
“The private hospital asked us to take him away the following day. We went to about four government hospitals which rejected him before we came to LASUTH.
“Since that Tuesday, they have not allowed us to see him. They said he was still under observation. The suspect too has run away. We learnt that a policeman in the Ibafo division tipped Bidemi off to evade arrest.”
Also speaking about the incident was the suspect’s father, Pa Shittu. He said, “My wife went to check the boy in the hospital. The doctors did not allow her to see him, but they told her that he was responding to treatment. I have spent about N150,000 on his treatment.
“I have not seen Bidemi. I don’t know his whereabouts. He has refused to pick my calls. The most important thing is for the child to get well.”
The state police spokesperson, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident said, “The suspect poured petrol on the boy for stealing.
“He maltreated him, tied his hands and feet, and set him on fire. The boy is still in the hospital and the suspect is presently at large.
“But the police will arrest the suspect.
“This act is not only criminal, but also barbaric. We are intensifying efforts to get him and we will.”
