The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a woman, Mrs
Aminot Otun, for roasting the right hand of her seven-year-old step-son, Awwal Otun, last Thursday.
Awwal’s hand was allegedly roasted for adding drops of
liquid disinfectant to his bath water.
According to Ngozi Ekwerike-Okoro, President, Child to Child
Network, a Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, a distressed call from one
of Otun’s neighbours at 59, Suenu Street,
Surulere, Lagos saved Awwal’s life.
Awwal was rushed to the Mother and Child Hospital at Gbaja
where another drama ensued as the doctor on duty refused to treat or admit the
boy despite pleas that the hospital was built purposely for mothers and
children in the state.
According to his teachers, Awwal, who is in primary one,
should not be allowed to go back to his step-mother because he is always coming
to school with bruises as the neighbours who pleaded anonymity said that had
been the normal punishment for the boy’s mistakes.
Awwal was later taken to a nearby private hospital for
treatment and he is currently at Juvenile Welfare Centre of Alakara Police
Station.
The story
According to Ngozi,
“On July 11, 2013, Awwal was rushed to the Randle General Hospital, Mother and
Child Centre, Gbaja, at about 6:30pm after a distress call from neighbours.
“He sustained serious injuries from fire burns inflicted on
him by the step-mother who is now in police custody.
“At the hospital, we requested to see the welfare officer
who we were told had closed for the day but after narrating our mission to one
of the staff she referred us to the chief matron. The chief matron issued an emergency card to
the boy and directed him to see the doctor.
“The doctor, however, refused to attend to the boy, because
according to her, the hospital did not have enough space to accommodate the
boy, as he would need admission for
intensive care.
“We pleaded with the doctor to at least administer some
first aid on the boy but she refused. We went back to the chief matron who told
us after consulting with the doctor that
Surulere General Hospital (Mother and Child Centre) does not have the facility
to deal with such cases. They said our best chance would be to go to Ikeja
General Hospital.
“We eventually left in disappointment and went to a private
hospital in Mushin, close to the juvenile centre, where he got immediate
attention and was treated free of
charge.
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