A 12-year-old boy has vowed not to go back to his father after being chased by out of the house following allegations of witchcraft by his stepmother.
The boy, identified as Godswill Okon Effiong, a native of Urboroh in Akwa Ibom State made the vow while recounting his ordeal after he was found missing in Anambra State.
He said he suddenly became a vagabond after he suddenly found himself in Anambra State until he was later rescued by some spirited individuals who handed him over to the police.
The police subsequently handed him over to the State’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Awka.
According to the visibly frustrated Effiong, his predicament started after his father sent his biological mother away following unresolved brawl.
He said, “Since my father found it difficult to look after me and my younger sister after the divorce, he handed my sister to someone to look after, while I continued to live with him.
“Shortly after the divorce, my father married another wife. As soon as she came into the family, she started maltreating and torturing me at will.
“Apart from the daily maltreatment, the woman continued to persuade my father to send me away because I am a small witch.
“After much pressure on my father, he called somebody who visits Anambra regularly to buy goods, and paid him to carry me to Anambra where he will drop me anywhere in the State.
“After dropping me in Anambra, I began to wander from place to place without knowing where I was and where I was going.
“I was forced to be begging people for money to buy something to eat. I also slept at mechanic workshop for some days before I eventually entered a church, where some people assisted me after hearing my story and handed me over to police in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area.”
Effiong was later handed over to the State’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
The Ministry, after interviewing the victim, called on members of the public, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to come forward with useful information pertaining to his parents’ whereabouts.
Effiong, however said he would not want to go back to his father, but passionately pleaded to be reunited to his mother.
