presently searching for a bar
manager, Mr. Bidemi Shittu, who
allegedly poured petrol on his 13-year-
old attendant, Ezekiel Emmanuel, and
set him ablaze.
It was gathered that the manager
took the action because the
teenager reportedly stole N1,500
from him.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the
incident happened in the Akoka
area of Ibafo, Ogun State, on
Monday, February 9.
Our correspondent gathered that
the runaway suspect, Bidemi, who
is married with children, was the
manager of Golden Fingers Bar in
the area, while Emmanuel was one
of his attendants.
Our correspondent learnt that
Bidemi, who had accused
Emmanuel of theft on Sunday,
allegedly tied the teenager’s hands
and feet in a room in his bar till
Monday, waiting for him to admit
the offence.
It was gathered that on Monday, at
about 11.30pm, Bidemi brought
Emmanuel out to the front of the
bar, poured petrol on the boy and
set fire on him.
Our correspondent learnt that some
residents, who were out at the time,
rescued the victim.
They were said to have rushed
Emmanuel to a private hospital in
the area where he was initially
treated before he was referred to
the Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, the following
day.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the matter
was reported to the Ibafo Police
Division, and the policemen sealed
off the bar.
However, it was gathered that the
suspect, Bidemi, fled before he
could be arrested.
When our correspondent got to the
area on Thursday, Emmanuel’s
uncle, Mr. Toyin Olayemi, said the
boy was rejected by four different
hospitals before he was eventually
taken to LASUTH.
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.
“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.”
When our correspondent visited
the suspect’s father, Pa Shittu, he
told PUNCH Metro that the most
important thing was for the victim
to get well.
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.”
When our correspondent got to the
private hospital in Ibafo where
Emmanuel was initially treated, the
doctor said he ensured that he was
in a stable condition before he was
transferred.
The Police Public Relations Officer,
DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed
the incident.
He added that the police were
intensifying efforts to arrest the
suspect.
He 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.”
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