Police arrest wife for breaking arms, legs of five-year old stepson

A housewife, Fatimoh Olanrewaju, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly breaking the arms and legs of her five-year old stepson, Iyanu Olanrewaju.

The boy is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, after he was admitted on Thursday.

The suspect, now in custody of the Anti-Human Trafficking Department of the police command, was said to have committed the crime at Onihale village, along old Abeokuta-Lagos expressway.

The biological mother of the victim reportedly divorced his father about two years ago, and the boy had been living with his stepmother and father.

Residents of the community said Mrs. Olanrewaju had been maltreating the boy even though neighbours had repeatedly cautioned her.

However, Mrs. Olanrewaju’s recent attack on the boy which resulted in the fracture of his arms and legs stirred the anger of the residents who immediately invited the police.

The victim was initially taken to the General Hospital at Ifo, but the management had to transfer him to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, as a result of the high degree of injuries.

When Premium Times correspondent visited Iyanu at the hospital, he was still in pains, with bruises on his face and his hands bound with POP.

His father, Idowu Olanrewaju, expressed amazement at his wife’s brutality on the child.

Mt. Olanrewaju, a butcher, appealed for financial assistance from the public to enable him settle the boy’s hospital bills.

However, the Child Network Protection, has offered to pay the medical bills of the patient.

The State Coordinator, Peju Osoba, said the victim, who is gradually responding to treatment, would still need financial support, pointing out that he might be spending months on admission considering his present condition.

She said Mr. Olanrewaju is poor, and could not afford the medical bills,adding that the little financial support from the network would be inadequate to see the child through the period of the treatment.

“Up till now, the financial aspect of the support has been borne majorly by CPN,” Ms. Osoba said. “By Monday, we would have exhausted what we have. We need some clothes, money for food and for drugs and treatment for the child.”

“There are indications that the child may have to stay for about one month. Please come over to Macedonia and help us,” she added.

CNP released its account number 1140023556 with Skye Bank for individuals and corporate bodies who would want to support the boy’s welfare.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, as well as the arrest of the suspect.

Mr. Oyeyemi said that the suspect was in the custody of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Department of the command on the order of the Commissioner of Police.

“The story is true and the stepmother has been arrested on Thursday and currently in our custody at Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Department,” he said.

According to him, the suspect is still being interrogated and would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

[Premium Times]