For allegedly inserting a stick of broom dipped in pepper into the private parts of a 9-year-old boy, identified as Promise, in the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos State, the gallant operatives of the Nigerian Police have arrested a woman, identified only as Bassey.
According to Punch Metro, Bassey who is a mother of four, had accused the victim, who was her nephew, of stealing N2,000, forced him to confess to the crime, and allegedly resorted to the extreme measure.
It was gathered that neighbours, who had reportedly observed the continuous abuse of Promise, reported the case to the police at the Iponri division, and the victim was said to have been taken to a hospital, where the stick of broom was removed.
Speaking to a correspondent, neighbour, said Promise had been living with Bassey on Ashaka Street for the past five years, adding that his parents were late.
He said, “Promise is the son of Bassey’s elder sister. His mother brought him to live with her so she could assist him with his education.
“The boy was formerly in a private public school, but he was withdrawn immediately his mother died. His father is also late. Since that time, she turned him into an errand boy.
“I have known the boy for three years now and can categorically say that he is always being maltreated. There was a time the guardian beat him up and tortured him with a needle. She starved the boy for three days.
“On another occasion, she sent the boy out of the house in the night and left him outside till daybreak,” he said, adding that despite having four children from different men, Bassey had never maltreated her own kids.
Also speaking, another tenant said matters got to a head on Wednesday, January 4, when the suspect allegedly inserted a stick of broom which had been dipped in pepper into Promise’s penis for allegedly stealing N2,000.
He said, “She said she was looking for N2,000 and accused the boy of stealing it. She beat him up with a stick and used red pepper to rub his whole body. The boy was screaming, yet she did not stop.
“After that, she inserted a stick of broom, dipped in Cameroon pepper, into the boy’s private parts. We could not bear it again and we reported the abuse to the police at the Iponri division. She was arrested and is still in police custody.”
The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect had been remanded in prison.
“I confirm the case. The suspect has been charged to court and remanded in custody,” she said.
