The Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has arrested a self-acclaimed prophet, James Nwankpu, over alleged child abuse captured in a viral social media video.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Joshua Ukandu, the suspect was seen in the video handling a child in an abusive and inhumane manner while the child lay on a bare floor.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hope Okafor, immediately directed operatives to arrest the suspect and rescue the child after the video surfaced online.
Police operatives later traced the suspect and the child’s parents to Isohumini Agbaja Community in Izzi Local Government Area, where Nwankpu was arrested and the child rescued.
The Command said the suspect is currently in police custody and undergoing further investigation ahead of possible prosecution.
The rescued child has been taken to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.