Police rescue 13-year-old boy after viral video shows him allegedly tied with rope, flogged, stripped naked and left under scorching sun; suspect transferred to SCID for investigation
By A1NEWS International
ABA, ABIA STATE — September 11, 2026:
The Abia State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Uzoma Uwaeme, alleged to be the father of a 13-year-old boy who was subjected to severe physical abuse in Aba, Abia State.
The arrest followed the circulation of a disturbing video on social media showing a young boy allegedly tied with a rope, brutally flogged, stripped naked and left exposed under the scorching sun.
According to the Police Command, the boy sustained injuries during the alleged abuse and has since received medical attention. He is currently reported to be in stable condition and under the protective custody of the police.
Viral Video Triggers Police Intervention
The Abia State Police Command said it became aware of the viral footage depicting the alleged abuse and immediately took action following a directive from the Commissioner of Police.
Operatives of the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters subsequently arrested Uwaeme, a resident of Nwokocha Street, off Udeabara Road, Aba.
The police identified him as the father of the victim and alleged that he was responsible for the abuse captured in the video.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including what led to the alleged assault and how long the abuse had been occurring, remain subject to police investigation.
Police Move Case to State Criminal Investigation Department
Following the arrest, the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for what the Command described as a discreet investigation.
The suspect remains in police custody while investigators work to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine the appropriate charges.
The Police Command said the victim has been removed from the immediate environment in which the alleged abuse occurred and placed under protective custody.
The development underscores the role of intervention mechanisms in cases involving vulnerable children, particularly where abuse occurs within a family setting.
Police Condemn Alleged Treatment of Child
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, psc(+), mnips, JP, strongly condemned the alleged treatment of the child.
The Commissioner described the act as inhumane, barbaric and a gross violation of the rights of the child, according to the statement issued by the Command.
Afolabi reiterated the Command’s position that there would be no tolerance for child abuse or domestic violence and assured the public that the suspect would be prosecuted in accordance with the law if the investigation establishes criminal responsibility.
Victim’s Welfare Becomes Immediate Priority
Beyond the criminal investigation, the police response has placed the welfare and safety of the 13-year-old victim at the centre of the intervention.
The Command confirmed that the boy has received medical treatment and is currently stable.
His placement under police protective custody is expected to prevent further exposure to the alleged perpetrator while investigators establish the facts of the case.
The police statement also indicated that the victim’s family circumstances may form part of the investigation. It alleged that the boy’s mother had left and that his father had subsequently remarried.
However, the precise relevance of these circumstances to the alleged abuse has not been established publicly and should not be treated as proof of motive.
Police Appeal for Public Vigilance
The Abia State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other criminal acts to the nearest police station.
The Command also said members of the public could use its dedicated communication lines to report incidents requiring police intervention.
For A1NEWS International, the case raises broader concerns about the protection of children from violence within domestic environments and the importance of early reporting when signs of abuse become apparent.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority is for investigators to establish the sequence of events, document the victim’s injuries, obtain relevant statements and determine whether additional persons may have knowledge of or involvement in the alleged abuse.
The suspect remains an accused person and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The police have, however, made clear that the case will be pursued in accordance with the law.
The arrest of Uzoma Uwaeme followed public outrage generated by video footage showing the alleged abuse of a 13-year-old boy in Aba.
With the case now before the SCID, attention will turn to the outcome of the investigation and any subsequent prosecution.
The police confirmation that the child has received medical attention and is under protective custody provides an immediate safeguard, but the larger test will be whether the investigation establishes accountability and ensures that the victim receives sustained protection and appropriate support.
Source: Abia State Police Command Press Release, signed by DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, Police Public Relations Officer, for the Commissioner of Police, dated September 9, 2026.
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