Bar manager sets attendant on fire for stealing N1, 500

The Ogun State Police Command is presently searching for a bar
manager, Mr. Bidemi Shittu, who allegedly poured petrol on his
13-year-old attendant, Ezekiel Emmanuel, and set him ablaze.
It was gathered that the manager took the action because the teenager
reportedly stole N1,500 from him.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that the incident happened in the Akoka
area of Ibafo, Ogun State, on Monday, February 9.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that the runaway suspect, Bidemi, who is
married with children, was the manager of Golden Fingers Bar in the
area, while Emmanuel was one of his attendants.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that Bidemi, who had accused Emmanuel of
theft on Sunday, allegedly tied the teenager's hands and feet in a
room in his bar till Monday, waiting for him to admit the offence.
Firstclassnewsline.net
It was gathered that on Monday, at about 11.30pm, Bidemi brought
Emmanuel out to the front of the bar, poured petrol on the boy and set
fire on him.
Firstclass Newsline learnt that some residents, who were out at the
time, rescued the victim.
They were said to have rushed Emmanuel to a private hospital in the
area where he was initially treated before he was referred to the
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, the following
day.
Firstclass Newsline gathered that the matter was reported to the Ibafo
Police Division, and the policemen sealed off the bar.
However, it was gathered that the suspect, Bidemi, fled before he
could be arrested.
When our correspondent got to the area on Thursday, Emmanuel's uncle,
Mr. Toyin Olayemi, said the boy was rejected by four different
hospitals before he was eventually taken to LASUTH.
He said, "Emmanuel's father is not around. He went to his hometown in
Ekiti because he fell ill. On Tuesday morning when they told me about
Emmanuel. I rushed to the private hospital and I saw him on the bed,
severely burnt from head to abdomen.
"He was working on part-time basis in the bar, although Bidemi did not
pay him any salary. Emmanuel is also learning generator repair at a
workshop. I was told that the manager accused him of stealing N1,500.
"Despite pleas from neighbours that they would repay him, he waited
till everyone had gone to sleep and brought out the boy and burnt his
body.
"The private hospital asked us to take him away the following day. We
went to about four government hospitals which rejected him before we
came to LASUTH.
"Since that Tuesday, they have not allowed us to see him. They said he
was still under observation. The suspect too has run away. We learnt
that a policeman in the Ibafo division tipped Bidemi off to evade
arrest."
When our correspondent visited the suspect's father, Pa Shittu, he
told firstclass newsline that the most important thing was for the
victim to get well.
He said, "My wife went to check the boy in the hospital. The doctors
did not allow her to see him, but they told her that he was responding
to treatment. I have spent about N150,000 on his treatment.
"I have not seen Bidemi. I don't know his whereabouts. He has refused
to pick my calls. The most important thing is for the child to get
well."
When our correspondent got to the private hospital in Ibafo where
Emmanuel was initially treated, the doctor said he ensured that he was
in a stable condition before he was transferred.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.
He added that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest the suspect.
He said, "The suspect poured petrol on the boy for stealing.
He maltreated him, tied his hands and feet, and set him on fire. The
boy is still in the hospital and the suspect is presently at large.
"But the police will arrest the suspect.
"This act is not only criminal, but also barbaric. We are intensifying
efforts to get him and we will."
Firstclassnewsline.net