By Archibong Jeremiah
Men of the Nigeria Police, Ikot Nakanda Akpabuyo Local Government Area Division yesterday detained one Mr. and Mrs. Alvan Orji of phase 1, block 29, house No. 5 CROSPIL Estate Akpabuyo, Cross River State for physically and emotionally assaulting their 11 months old baby (name withheld) on several occasions over accusations that the child is bewitched.
According to the complainant, James Ibor, Esq. Principal Counsel of Basic Rights Council Initiative, BRCI, a child rights advocate group said, last month he received a complain from an undisclosed person that the said Mr. and Mrs. Orji were in the habit of physically and emotionally assaulting their 11 months old son constantly, giving him inhuman treatments such as tying him (their son) to a chair, using electric cable on him and consistently yelling at the son.
Going further he revealed that after the complain was lodged by the undisclosed neighbor of the Orjis, he sent some investigators from his office to the wine shop owned by the Orjis on several occasions.
According to him, on one occasion, the investigators spent over an hour in the shop and all through their stay, they observed that the child cried throughout the period, they also observed that the child had several scars on his face numbering over 8 adding that the neighbors confirmed that the unnamed child constantly undergoes physical and emotional torture from his parents, his father in particular.
James Ibor said neighbors also confirmed that Mr. Alva the child’s father is in the habit of battering his only child of 11 months old with waist belt and electric cable regularly.
After been arrested, Mr. Orji confessed to inflicting injuries on his only child to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO and the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO but claimed that the baby is possessed with what he called Ogbanje (Abiku/Marine) spirit.
As at the time of filling this report, Mr. Orji a native of Abia state was still in detention while the mother of his only child, Ugonwa was referred to the Police Hospital for medical reports on the degree of injuries/damages inflicted on their child.