A 35-year-old welder, Oluwafemi Abiodun has been arrested by the Lagos State police command for allegedly breaking the head of his 13-year-old apprentice with a padlock.

Abiodun broke Rasaq Alimi’s head after he allegedly kicked a bottle of N200 worth of honey, thus making the honey to pour away.

The boy has, however, denied touching the bottle.

After breaking his head, Abiodun allegedly ordered him to continue with his welding work, while blood ran down his head. A passer-by, Sunday Oyeniyi, who saw Alimi crying, dragged Abiodun was dragged to the police station.

The malnourished and dirty looking Rasaq said that was not the first time his master would beat and inflict injury on him. He said:

‘I have been an apprentice at the shop, learning how to fabricate gates and some other things since January 2017.

I have not seen my father since 2017. The last time I spoke with my father was when he had an accident.

According to Telegraph He has also not been calling me after he handed me over to my master.” Abiodun said that he only hit Rasaq’s head with a padlock just to warn him to desist from such an act. He said that he never meant to injure the lad.

He said: “I cannot punish another person’s son, because I have my own. 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.”

In his reaction, Rasaq’s father, Adebayo Alimi, said:
“I’m not a wicked father. I brought him to the workshop to prepare him ahead of life challenges. I knew he is still a young boy. I always send his feeding allowances to his master monthly

My elder and younger sisters used to go to the workshop to check on him. I thank everyone who assisted him; God will protect their own children.”