The Abia State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Uzoma Uwaeme, over the alleged brutal abuse of his 13 year old son in Aba.
The boy is now under police protection after he was allegedly tied with a rope, severely flogged, stripped naked and left exposed under the scorching sun by his father.
The incident came to public attention after a video showing the boy with visible injuries circulated widely on social media, prompting intervention by the Abia State Police Command.
Following the circulation of the video and the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, operatives of the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters arrested Uwaeme, a resident of Nwokocha Street, off Udeabara Road, Aba.
Police said investigations were ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse, including reports that the boy’s mother had allegedly left him in his father’s care after he remarried.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation, while the suspect remains in police custody.
The police command said the victim has received medical attention and is currently in stable condition.
Condemning the alleged abuse, Commissioner Afolabi described the incident as “inhumane” and “barbaric”, stressing that it amounted to a gross violation of the child’s rights and dignity.
Afolabi assured residents that the command would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that the suspect is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
ABIA POLICE LAUNCH SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE
The development came as the Abia State Police Command inaugurated the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Safe Schools Initiative, aimed at strengthening the protection of children and educational institutions across the state.
The initiative, inaugurated by Afolabi on September 9, is designed to deepen cooperation between the police, communities, schools and other stakeholders in creating safer learning environments.
Led by PCRC Chairman Kpakpando Igboaulam, the initiative will mobilise stakeholders, promote safety awareness, support school based security, coordinate student mentorship and civic education, train safety volunteers and encourage the deployment of modern security measures, including surveillance systems where necessary.
Speaking at the inauguration, Afolabi described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that community support and cooperation remained essential to effective policing.
The Commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other forms of criminality to the nearest police station or through the command’s dedicated telephone lines.
