Metro
Man’s Inhumanity to Man: Trader Bathes Apprentice in Acid, Hides Him for Three Months
An apprentice, identified simply as Ifeanyi, is in pain after his boss, identified simply as Anaayo, allegedly bathed him in acid and detained him for over three months without treatment at their place of residence in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Anaayo, who owns Ayocity Surgicals, was taking stock of his goods at his shop in the Idumota area of the state sometime in November 2020 when he discovered that some items were missing.
Angered by the discovery, Anaayo allegedly summoned his apprentices, including Ifeanyi, and demanded an explanation for the missing goods.
It was learnt that when Ifeanyi and his co-apprentices, including the managers, could not give a satisfactory explanation for the missing goods, Anaayo was said to have told them that they would continue the discussion when they got home.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a businessman, Chijioke Emmanuel, whose shop is near Anaayo’s, said all the apprentices except Ifeanyi took to their heels after being interrogated by their boss, adding that Anaayo allegedly poured acid on the victim.
He said, “Ifeanyi is an apprentice under Anaayo, whose company’s name is Ayocity Surgicals. What happened was that Anaayo complained that some of his goods were missing before last Christmas. Anaayo has managers for his company and Ifeanyi, who is just 17-year-old, was one of them.
“He started serving Anaayo not up to five months and was also living with him like his co-apprentices. They all gave their explanations when Anaayo summoned them about the missing goods, but Ifeanyi appealed to him to discuss with his managers. They were to continue the interrogation at home when the managers ran away from Anaayo’s house, because what was missing concerned them.
“Ifeanyi didn’t run, so his boss got hold of him and started beating him to get more information about what happened and the whereabouts of the fleeing workers. Anaayo locked Ifeanyi inside the toilet and went to the market.
“On his return, Anaayo asked if he was willing to say the truth, but when Ifeanyi could not say anything, he brought out the acid that he usually uses to kill ants and snakes crawling into his house from a nearby bush, and poured it on him. Ifeanyi’s head, back and other parts of his body were damaged by the acid.”
Despite the pain Ifeanyi was going through, Emmanuel alleged that Anaayo locked him up for three months without treatment, adding that the incident became public knowledge when the victim escaped from the house.
Emmanuel stated, “Anaayo locked Ifeanyi inside the toilet, where he spent days before his boss brought him out and locked him up in a room. But the acid had already damaged his body; doctors are saying that the acid also affected his brain and he needs urgent surgery.
“The incident happened in November 2020, but when we no longer saw Ifeanyi at Anaayo’s shop, we started asking after him, but the boss told us that he was doing something for him at home. We never knew that he locked him up, because of what he had done to him. He never gave him any treatment after pouring acid on him.
“It was when Ifeanyi managed to escape from home that he got help from people, who took him to the human rights office in Ikeja and the police were contacted and Anaayo was arrested on Thursday, February 11, 2021, and he has been in detention at the Area ‘F’ Command in Lagos since then.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said, “As of now, we have not got any information regarding that particular incident; I will find out.”
The Punch
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has intensified support for community-based security with the donation of 100 anti-riot kits and 1,000 pairs of operational boots to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
The high quality modern equipment was presented on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, by the Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, to the General Manager of LNSA, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, at the Agency’s headquarters in Oshodi.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency plays a critical role in grassroots security as they support the police through intelligence gathering, routine patrols, and community policing initiatives across all local government areas in the state. The Corps is also tasked with maintaining law and order, detecting suspicious activities, and fostering safety awareness within communities.
The intervention is expected to further strengthen neighbourhood-level security architecture and deepen collaboration between communities and formal law enforcement agencies in State.
The Federal government has declared Friday, May 1, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated workers nationwide, commending their commitment and contributions to national development.
He noted that the dedication of Nigerian workers remains vital to the country’s growth and economic progress, urging them to sustain values of patriotism, productivity and diligence.
Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for economic expansion.
He called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the celebration, encouraging citizens to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in nation-building.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the rising pressure on workers’ welfare and economic conditions of the country.
The Congress warned that it would embark on nationwide protest, if there is no improvement.
The warning was conveyed in in a communiqué jointly signed by the TUC President, Mr. Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Mr. Nuhu Toro, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
The Congress said the NEC meeting reviewed the state of the nation, developments within the congress, preparations for the 2026 May Day celebration, and other critical issues affecting Nigerian workers.
“The prevailing economic hardship has significantly affected the living standards of Nigerian workers, making daily survival increasingly difficult.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and if there is no improvement, the congress will have no option but to mobilise workers in defence of their welfare.
“Government must urgently take concrete steps to address the rising cost of living and restore confidence in the economy,” it said.
The Congress said rising fuel prices, inflation, electricity tariff increases and insecurity had combined to erode workers’ purchasing power and living standards.
It noted that global developments, including the Iran–U.S. conflict, were further worsening economic pressures through higher energy costs and supply chain disruptions.
According to the TUC, Nigerian workers have not benefited from higher global oil prices but continue to face rising costs of transportation, food and essential services.
It urged the Federal Government to deploy excess crude revenue to cushion economic shocks and support vulnerable citizens.
The congress also called for urgent measures to stabilise fuel prices, improve electricity supply, and address insecurity nationwide.
It emphasised the need for policies that promote decent work, job security and social protection.
“The government must prioritise the welfare, dignity and security of Nigerian workers in all policy decisions,” it said.
The TUC further called for tax relief for manufacturing companies and workers to ease economic pressure and stimulate productivity.
On electricity, it condemned repeated tariff increases without improved service delivery and demanded fair pricing, universal metering, and an end to estimated billing.
The congress expressed concern over rising insecurity, describing it as a major threat to economic activities and workers’ safety.
It urged government at all levels to adopt coordinated, intelligence-driven strategies to protect lives, farms, businesses and critical infrastructure.
“A stitch in time saves nine,” the communiqué added.
