A 17-year-old student, Samuel Onyeme, has allegedly been brutally assaulted and confined in a dog cage by the father and brothers of his female classmate in Asaba, Delta State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 17, 2024, when Samuel, a Senior Secondary student at Redeemers International High School, visited his classmate, Anastasia Celestine, at her home following her invitation.
Narrating the ordeal, Samuel’s mother, Mrs. Onyeme, told *Punch* on Monday that her son was severely beaten by Mr. Celestine and his two sons before being locked in a dog cage.
“My son said they were having a discussion outside Mr. Celestine’s house when he was attacked. They dragged him into their compound, inflicted injuries on him using wooden planks, and locked him inside a dog cage,” she said.
She added that Samuel’s phone was seized, and she was lured to the scene under false pretenses. Upon her arrival, she was allegedly denied access to her son for two hours.
Samuel’s sister, Jessica, who attempted to seek help, was also reportedly assaulted when she tried to re-enter the compound.
The situation escalated when Samuel’s elder brother, Ben, contacted a family friend who alerted a human rights organization. The group, in turn, involved the police, leading to Samuel’s rescue around 10:00 p.m.
A human rights activist, Victor Ojei, condemned the act as “barbaric and inhumane” and has petitioned the Delta State Police Command for a full investigation and prosecution of Mr. Celestine and his sons.
In the petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police and copied to the Attorney General of Delta State and the National Human Rights Commission, Ojei detailed the alleged crimes, which include kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder.
“The brutal assault using wooden planks, unlawful detention in a dog cage, and threats to pour fuel on the victim amount to grave violations under Nigerian law,” Ojei stated.
The petition cited provisions of the Criminal Code Act, including Sections 320, 355, and 364, which criminalize attempted murder, assault, and unlawful detention, respectively.
Samuel is currently receiving medical treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital for the physical and psychological trauma he suffered.
The Delta State Police Command is yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, calls for justice continue to grow as the public demands accountability for the alleged actions of the Celestine family.
