Police arrest woman for chaining 9 year-old stepson over witchcraft allegation

Men of the Ekeki Division of the Bayelsa State Police Command have apprehended a stepmother, Peremoboere Botu.

The suspect was arrested for chaining a 9-year-old boy who’s identified as Godday Simon Aprebo to a pole.

She has subjected the small boy to physical abuse over allegation of being a wizard.

The stepmother has accused the boy of using voodoo (charm) against his family and effecting misfortunes for his father and trying to take his life.

The incident happened on Agboli Street at Okutukutu area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Operatives of the police have made effort to save the boy.

It was learnt that the advocacy groups, Starrz Safety Initiative, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Mary Bekeowei Accrah and FOMWAN, under the leadership of Hajia Maryam Abeki, quickly called the attention of the Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) to the plight of the boy.

Neighbours have said that the stepmother of the victim and biological father chained him so that he would be able to run away, alleging that he is a wizard.

The boy was reportedly maltreated in order to force him to open up on the alleged wizardry.

It was gathered that the father who was identified as Simon Afrebo, who’s said to be a prophet, had since run away.

Barr. Dise OOgbise, the State Chairman of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), while confirming the incident, described the development as pathetic, reaffirming that those behind the incident would not go unpunished.

She has called on the Police Command in Bayelsa State to carry out thorough investigation on the matter and prosecute the those behind the incident as soon as possible.

The Police spokesperson of the police in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, while confirming the incident, said a discreet investigation would be conducted on the matter.