Police in Kogi arrest stepmother whose 17-year-old son buried stepbrother alive

<p>Police in Kogi have arrested the stepmother of the 11-year-old boy buried alive on Wednesday by the woman’s 17-year-old son.</p>, <p>Police spokesman in Kogi, SP Williams Ovye-Aya said in Lokoja that the woman was arrested on Thursday as soon as she returned from the church.</p>, <p>Passers-by rescued the 11-year-old on Wednesday after he had been buried by his stepbrother in a bush at Silo community in Zango Daji, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.</p>, <p>The 11-year-old boy was alleged to have stolen N10,000 belonging to his stepmother who instructed her son to punish the suspect before heading to church.</p>, <p>In meting punishment to the 11-year-old, the 17-year-old took his stepbrother into the bush where he buried him alive, throwing the entire Kogi into bewilderment.</p>, <p>Police immediately arrested the 17-year-old, saying “Our officers and men were able to arrest the stepmother on Thursday after a tip-off. She is now in our custody.</p>, <p>“She has made a statement to the police on the sad incident.</p>, <p>“We shall transfer the mother and son to the Criminal Investigation Department for further interrogation of reasons behind such cruelty among family members.</p>, <p>“It is unfortunate that the father or breadwinner of the family was said to have travelled. We are waiting for him to return to give us his statement.</p>, <p>“Once the investigation is concluded, we shall arraign mother and son,’’ Ovye-Aya said.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, the Kogi government has vowed to prosecute the 17-year-old boy and the mother.</p>, <p>Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Buba made the vow on Thursday in Lokoja when she spoke with newsmen over the incident.</p>, <p>Buba described the incident as “very wicked’’ and “saddening’’ and assured that the ministry was in constant liaison with the police for the immediate prosecution of the mother and son.</p>, <p>“While the ministry is liaising with the police for their prosecution, necessary arrangements have been made to put the 11-year-o