By Charles Igbo
The unbelievable has just happened in Imo State. For disturbing his sleep, a father used a hanger to beat his two-month old son repeatedly. The beating was so hard, and so serious that it broke the baby’s arm. And, finally, led to the amputation of baby Miracle’s right arm.
“This is the most cruel incident I have seen in all my adult life”, a Nurse at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where the baby was rushed to proclaimed.
Perhaps, the beating couldn’t have led to an amputation if the wicked father, 31- year old Mr Confidence Amatobi, did not prevent help to the baby.
He locked baby and mother up, confiscated the mother’s phone, to stop her from any contact with neighbours.
Anger has risen to high heavens. The devastated mother, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC and the Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists are screaming blue murder. They are asking for the immediate arrest of the cruel father who hails from Amurie, Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.
He had, initially, been arrested by the local vigilante, but he bolted away, and has been on the run since then.
A shocked Dr Dorothy Nnaji, Chairperson, Imo NAWOJ, who briefed the Press on the cruel act after visiting the baby and her mother in the hospital said: “The perpetrator, Mr Confidence Amatobi, who hails from Amurie in Isu LGA used a plastic hanger on the baby simply because he was crying when the 20-year-old mother left to ease herself.
“He used wood and elastic bands to tie the baby’s hand when he saw that the hand was broken and swollen.
“He locked the mother and baby up to prevent her from talking to neighbours or seeking help. He also took her phone from her. After two days she found her way out and sought help from her neighbours. The guy was arrested by a vigilante but he escaped. By the time help came, the baby’s hand was already decayed. The only option was to cut off baby Miracle’s right hand from his shoulder.”
There has been no statement from either the State Government or the Police. But the clarion call is that this wicked father be arrested to face the full wrath of the law.
Baby Miracle is at the Pediatrics Ward of the FMC, Owerri.
