SAN FRANCISCO, July 23, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, says it has rescued a nine-year old boy who was chained for weeks by a church in Ogun State. The church was even said to put up resistance as the Civil Defence team tried to rescue the boy, whose name was given as Master Taiwo Korede.
The NSCDC, in a statement issued on Saturday, stated that the boy was rescued from the Celestial Church of Christ (Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo) at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State, where he had his hands and legs chained for two weeks and looked tired, pale and unable to talk when initially rescued.
Disclosing that Master Korede was rescued on Friday while still in chains, the Corps stated that the case has been transferred to the appropriate authority for further investigation.
The statement signed by the State PRO of the NSCDC, CSC Kareem Olanrewaju, reads, “The Nigeria Security and civil defence Corps (NSCDC) Ogun state Command yesterday rescued a nine year old boy at Ajibawo village along Atan-Ota in Ado-Odo Ota Local government area of Ogun State Nigeria.
“The nine year old boy named Korede Taiwo was being alleged of stealing, especially of soup from their cooking pot by his step mother named kehinde. She reported to the Father who took step by chaining his hand and legs. This situation was on like that until a good Samaritan informed NSCDC officials on surveillance patrol of critical infrastructure in the area, they immediately swung into action and ensure the boy was immediately rescued.”
According to the information from officer in charge of Ado-Odo NSCDC Division, who led the rescue operation, the boy had been chained for two weeks at the very Celestial Church of Christ (Key of Joy Parish) the boy was tired and pale, he was not able to talk when he was initially rescued.
The statement continued, “On getting to the church there was serious resistance by members led by the pastor’s wife Kehinde, but Civil defence Corps men insisted, and they were able to force their way into the church premises. The boy was actually under lock and key. They quickly took him to the office for necessary entries and documentation and proceeded to the General Hospital, Ota.
“The boy was bath and one Dr. Akintunde asked NSCDC officials who took him there to give him Lucozade boost, they then called on whether to cut the chains so as to enable them administer treatment. Before NSCDC left the hospital, he has been responding to treatment as he has started talking.
“However, the Hospital Medical Director one Dr. Osinbajo who came later assures the Corps that the boy will get necessary medical attention needed.”
Meanwhile, the NSCDC has since began interaction with the police at Atan, who promised to continue with the investigation and do all necessary things needed.
Confirming the incident, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, PRO, CSC Kareem Olanrewaju, stated that the case will be handed over to the police for further investigation, adding that the stepmother; Kehinde, Akorede the boy and the chain with padlock have been handed over to the police.
Olanrewaju stressed that the case was not among those under the mandate of NSCDC to prosecute so it has to be handed over to the appropriate agency. He further stated that in the course of resistance by the stepmother Kehinde and others when the NSCDC officials got to the church, the father Taiwo, who is the Pastor of the church, escaped.
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