A young boy has been burnt as punishment for allegedly peeping on a woman who was taking her bathe.
11-year-old Ayinbiha Abelinkiira according to a Joy News report was doused in petrol and set on fire after he was accused of spying on the naked woman, an allegation he denied.
The victim tells Joy News that his friends who were spying on the woman took to their heels when they were busted but since he was not part of offenders, he saw no reason to run.
He was however used as an escape goat by a passer-by, a man who did not witness the incident.
He narrates that the man whose name is not known, caught him, poured out the gallon of petrol which he (Ayinbiha) was sent to buy and set him ablaze for a crime he did not commit.
The victim narrates that, “The man had come there to drink Pito. So when the woman shouted that we had peeped in to see her nakedness, he came to me and asked if I was the one who did that. I told him I was not the one, but rather the other two children who were running away. He then snatched the petrol from me and started pouring it on my body. The woman watched him but said nothing. Then, he struck a matchstick and set me ablaze. He said he wanted me to die and waste away.”
According to the report, Police suggested the case be settled at home between the suspect and the family of the victim.
“The parents of the victim who could not afford even the medical bills agreed and allowed the boy to go live with his abuser to be catered for,” the Joy News report detailed.
The incident happened a year ago and Ayinbiha has not been to school since due to the stigma as the wounds still smell as result of to lack of treatment.
A human rights activist and the Executive Director of the Ark Foundation is calling for the immediate dismissal of the police personnel who advised the out of court settlement of the issue.
Angela Dwamena-Aboagye who appeared on the Super Morning Show on Joy News wants the IGP to recall the personnel from post and subject them to prosecution for trying to set a child abuse culprit free.
She also urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to get in touch with the local Social Welfare office to ensure the victim gets the needed attention.
“It is attempted murder, and that’s a felony. He needs medical and psychological care,” she stressed.
By: Kekeli Kuatsenu/awakenewsonline.com