A middle-aged man and coffin maker, identified as Papa Ogada, who hails from Oberete village in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, has reportedly dumped his 14-year-old son in a well, accusing him of being behind his inability to make progress in life.
According to reports, Papa Ogada had complained that his son was a wizard, who had caused him misfortunes since he reunited with him, after he left his mother’s place.
He was said to have contacted one of his friends who helped him to tie up the boy. With his school uniform and books, they drove off with the boy at about 9p.m, Monday, to neighbouring Abiaka village, where they allegedly dumped him in an abandoned well.
According to a source whose name wasn’t mentioned, “The truth is that the man has been separated from the boy’s mother. Since the boy came back from his mother’s place where he lived, the man has been accusing him of being a wizard.
“He once told us that he had consulted many spiritualists, who told him that his son is a wizard and is behind the problems he has had in his business.
We are not surprised that he went this far,” the source added.
However, reports further revealed how help went the way of the 14-year-old. A resident, simply identified as Njoku, who was reportedly part of the rescue team said, “Some of us had already retired for the day when we started hearing shouts and cries coming from the location of the abandoned well, but we thought people were fighting.
“As the shouts increased, we summoned courage and got to the area and discovered that it was coming from the abandoned well. We got a rope and bucket, threw them inside and the boy managed to cling to and was pulled out.
“He was already weak with injuries. We thanked God the well had been out of use; he might not have survived,” Njoku added.
As at press time, the unidentified boy was said to be receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital, while his father remains at large.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abia State Command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, said the incident was not reported to the Police.
“I have contacted the Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, of Eastern Ngwa and Ohuru Isimiri Divisions covering the Obingwa area.
“They said they are not aware of the incident. Maybe it happened and was not reported,” the PPRO said.
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