The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that incident happened at Afia Nsit community in the Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

DSP. Mac-Don Achibe,the spokesman of the command confirmed the incident while speaking with newsmen in Eket on Tuesday.

He said that the incident, which occurred on Aug. 30, was reported to the police by Essien’s neighbours.

Achibe said the case would be charged to court after police investigation.

Sources at Afia Nsit told reporters that Essien, 35, burnt his son to death for allegedly stealing N500 from a neighbour’s house to buy food.

According to people who witnessed what happened, Essien sent the boy to buy kerosene, which he did.

It was learnt that the father tied the boy with a rope, doused him with the kerosene he sent him to buy and set him ablaze.

Sources said the boy was rushed to hospital but later died.