A 17-year-old male, Samuel Onyeme, was allegedly assaulted and locked in a dog cage last weekend after visiting a female classmate, identified as Miss Anastasia Celestine. According to reports from Drivetvnews, the incident took place when Onyeme arrived at his classmate’s residence around 6:00 PM.
The victim’s mother, Mrs. Onyeme, shared details of the incident with journalists on Monday, expressing that her interaction at Mr. Celestine’s residence was relatively helpful.
She stated, “My son, Samuel, a 17-year-old Senior Secondary student of Redeemers International High School, Asaba, Delta State, visited his classmate, Anastasia Celestine, at her residence on Sunday after she invited him”.
My son explained that they were having a discussion outside the house of Mr Celestine when he was mercilessly assaulted by her father and his two sons.
“They attacked him on the street, dragged him into their compound, and inflicted severe physical injuries on him. They locked him inside a dog cage and used wooden plank on his head
“While assaulting him, they confiscated his mobile phone and called me (mother), deceiving me into coming to the scene. Upon my arrival, I not allowed to see him for two hours.”
The victim’s mother further revealed that her daughter, Jessica, who was outside seeking help, was also assaulted by members of the Celestine family when she tried to re-enter the compound.
“The situation escalated when Ben, my other son and Samuel’s elder brother, contacted a family friend. That friend reached out to a human rights organisation, which then involved the police. Officers were mobilised, and Samuel was finally rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 PM that night,” she added.
Victor Ojei, a human rights advocate who reported the case to the Delta State Police Command, confirmed on Tuesday that he intervened to ensure Samuel’s rescue. Ojei described the incident as barbaric and inhumane, condemning the actions of the perpetrators.
In a formal petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police at the Delta State Police Command, Ojei called for an immediate investigation and the prosecution of Mr. Celestine and his sons. The charges include kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder, in line with Nigerian Criminal Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
The petition was also submitted to the Attorney General at the Ministry of Justice in Asaba, Delta State, and the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, stressing the urgency of delivering justice.
It stated: “One Onyeme Ben contacted a family friend, who then reached out to our organisation. Following our report to the Delta State Police, officers were mobilised, and Master Onyeme Samuel was rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 PM that night.”
“Based on the aforementioned facts, Mr. Celestine and his sons have committed several criminal offences. These include the unlawful detention of Mrs. Onyeme Onome for two hours against her will, as well as the forcible confinement of Master Onyeme Samuel in a dog cage from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, both of which violate Section 364 of the Criminal Code Act.
“The brutal assault on Master Onyeme Samuel with wooden planks, causing multiple injuries and psychological trauma, constitutes a violation of Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act.
“Additionally, the threats to pour fuel on Master Onyeme Samuel and set him ablaze amount to attempted murder, which is a serious offence under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Act.”
The victim, Samuel Onyeme, is currently receiving treatment at the Asaba Specialist Hospital for physical injuries and psychological trauma sustained during the incident.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, stated that no report about the incident had been brought to his attention at the time of this report.
