Pastor who chained 9-year-old son flees

RESIDENTS of Ajibawo area via Atan Ota in Ado-Odo Local Government Area of Ogun State trooped out in large number on Friday, July 22, to catch a glimpse of a nine-year-old boy, Korede Taiwo, who was rescued from where he had been chained to a heavy log for more than a month by his father.

The rescue was reportedly carried out through the joint efforts of police operatives of the Ogun State Police Command attached to Onipanu Division, Ota, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officials.

The boy looked malnourished as of the time of his rescue.

The boy’s father, one Pastor Taiwo Francis of The Key of Joy Celestial Church in the same Ajibawo area, is however on the run.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, the rescue operation was made possible through a tip-off by a member of the community, adding that the boy’s stepmother who was arrested by the police said that her husband’s cruel act to his son was because of his stealing habit.

Adejobi stated further that the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali, who is still in charge of Ogun State Command, had ordered that the boy be given proper medical attention.

The PPRO spoke further that the directive had been complied with, as Korede was immediately taken to hospital and had been treated and discharged, adding that he was being kept in police custody at Onipanu Division for proper attention and care.

He said the chain on the boy’s neck had to be cut with a saw before it could be removed.

He remarked that the boy would be handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State.