Child Abuse: Welder breaks 13-year-old apprentice’s head with padlock over N200 honey
The Lagos State police command has arrested a 35-year-old welder, Oluwafemi Abiodun, for allegedly breaking the head of his 13-year-old apprentice with a padlock.
Abiodun was said to have accused the teenager, Rasaq Alimi of spilling N200 worth of honey kept in a bottle.
He hit Alimi on the head with a padlock, despite the boy claiming his innocence.
Alimi, according to reports, was ordered back to work despite blood trickling down his head.
The boy’s cry attracted a passerby who intervened and dragged to the police station.
Alimi said it was not the first time he would be , maltreated by his boss.
“I have been an apprentice at the shop, learning how to fabricate gates and some other things since January 2017,” he said.
“I have not seen my father since 2017. The last time I spoke with my father was when he had an accident. He has also not been calling me after he handed me over to my master.”
Abiodun said the act was unintentional and apologised for his actions.
“I have learnt my lesson. I’m begging his father to forgive and take me out of the police cell where I am being detained,” he said.
Alimi’s father, Adebayo Alimi, said he was only preparing the boy ahead of life challenges by taking him to the workshop.
