Nigerian Police Rescue Boy, 13, Allegedly Tortured by Father in Abia

A 13-year-old boy is now safe under police protection in Aba, Abia State, after surviving what authorities have called a horrifying act of abuse at the hands of his own father.

The boy was allegedly tied with a rope, flogged, stripped naked and left exposed under the scorching sun.

The abuse only came to light after a video of his injuries began circulating widely on social media, sparking outrage and prompting the Abia State Police Command to step in.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, officers from the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the boy's father, identified as Uzoma Uwaeme, who lives in Aba.

Investigators say they are still piecing together what led to the abuse, including reports that the boy's mother had left him in his father's care after the father remarried.

The case has now been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, and Uwaeme remains in custody.

According to the police command, the boy has since received medical treatment and is in stable condition.

Afolabi did not mince words in condemning what happened, calling the alleged abuse "inhumane" and "barbaric," and stressing that it represented a serious violation of the child's rights and dignity.

He promised residents that the command would see the case through and ensure the suspect faces prosecution under the law.

Notably, the arrest came on the very day the police command launched a new child-protection effort: the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Safe Schools Initiative, inaugurated by Afolabi on September 9 to strengthen safety in schools and communities across Abia State.

Led by PCRC Chairman Kpakpando Igboaulam, the initiative brings together police, schools, communities and other stakeholders to build safer learning environments.

Plans include mobilising local stakeholders, raising safety awareness, supporting school security, coordinating mentorship and civic education programmes for students, training safety volunteers, and encouraging the use of modern security tools such as surveillance systems where needed.

Speaking at the launch, Afolabi called the PCRC initiative a timely step, noting that community cooperation remains central to effective policing.

He urged the public to stay alert and to report any cases of child abuse, domestic violence or other crimes to the nearest police station or through the command's dedicated hotlines.