Police Rescued a 13-year-old boy Allegedly Tied, Stripped, Beaten by Own Father
Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a man identified as Uzoma Uwaeme for allegedly stripping, tying up and flogging his 13-year-old son under the scorching sun in Aba, Abia State.
The disturbing incident came to public attention after a video showing the teenager bound with ropes, visibly injured and exposed to harsh weather conditions went viral on social media.
The Abia State Police Command disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday, explaining that the suspect is the biological father of the victim. The Command added that the boy’s mother had allegedly left the marriage.
Following the circulation of the video, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Afolabi, directed operatives of the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters to immediately locate and apprehend the suspect.
Global Mirror News reports that police operatives subsequently traced Uwaeme to his residence on Nwokocha Street, off Udeabara Road, Aba, where he was arrested.
The teenager was rescued by the police and taken for medical attention following the alleged abuse.
Confirming the development, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation, as the suspect is in Police custody,” Chinaka stated.
She further disclosed that the victim had received medical treatment and was in stable condition.
“The victim has received medical attention, is in stable condition, and is currently under the protective custody of the Police,” she added.
The Commissioner of Police condemned the alleged treatment of the child, describing it as inhumane, barbaric and a gross violation of the rights of the teenager.
CP Afolabi reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse and domestic violence, assuring the public that the suspect would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“He reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse and domestic violence, and assured the public that the suspect will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The Abia State Police Command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other forms of criminality promptly to the nearest police station.
Residents were also urged to use the dedicated telephone lines provided by the Command to report incidents requiring police intervention.
The arrest has once again raised concerns over the protection of children from physical abuse, particularly within the family environment, where victims may be unable to seek help on their own.
Global Mirror News reports that the Abia case comes after a similar incident in Anambra State in June, when the police arrested a couple over the alleged brutal physical abuse of a 10-year-old boy in their care.
The Anambra incident also sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of child protection laws.
