The Lagos State Government has confirmed the arrest of a man allegedly seen abusing a toddler in a viral social media video.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Onadipe Opebere, said the alleged perpetrator was apprehended on Wednesday, following the circulation of the video and subsequent reports to authorities.

The development followed the circulation of a video showing a man repeatedly flogging a toddler across the head and body with what appeared to be a charger cable.

The video triggered widespread outrage on social media, with members of the public calling for the identification and arrest of the man.

According to the DSVA, it was alerted to the alleged child abuse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos on Tuesday and immediately activated its response protocol.

The agency said it established contact with the child’s mother, who disclosed that the matter had already been reported at the Imota Police Station.

The DSVA subsequently contacted officers at the Family Support Unit and was informed that the mother had initially reported the matter to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.

The alleged perpetrator was subsequently arrested and is currently in police custody as the matter has been escalated for further investigation, the agency said.

The child and her mother have also been referred to a General Hospital for immediate medical attention and further assessment.

The DSVA said it would continue to monitor the case and provide necessary support to the child and her mother.

The agency said the Lagos State Government maintained a zero-tolerance stance towards all forms of child abuse and remained committed to strengthening safeguarding systems and protecting survivors.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) had earlier said it was working with relevant security agencies to identify, locate and prosecute the person seen in the video.

The Lagos DSVA urged members of the public to report cases of child abuse through the agency’s 24-hour toll-free line.

The Lagos State Government has confirmed the arrest of a man allegedly seen abusing a toddler in a viral social media video.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Onadipe Opebere, said the alleged perpetrator was apprehended on Wednesday, following the circulation of the video and subsequent reports to authorities.

The development followed the circulation of a video showing a man repeatedly flogging a toddler across the head and body with what appeared to be a charger cable.

The video triggered widespread outrage on social media, with members of the public calling for the identification and arrest of the man.

According to the DSVA, it was alerted to the alleged child abuse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos on Tuesday and immediately activated its response protocol.

The agency said it established contact with the child’s mother, who disclosed that the matter had already been reported at the Imota Police Station.

The DSVA subsequently contacted officers at the Family Support Unit and was informed that the mother had initially reported the matter to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.

The alleged perpetrator was subsequently arrested and is currently in police custody as the matter has been escalated for further investigation, the agency said.

The child and her mother have also been referred to a General Hospital for immediate medical attention and further assessment.

The DSVA said it would continue to monitor the case and provide necessary support to the child and her mother.

The agency said the Lagos State Government maintained a zero-tolerance stance towards all forms of child abuse and remained committed to strengthening safeguarding systems and protecting survivors.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) had earlier said it was working with relevant security agencies to identify, locate and prosecute the person seen in the video.

The Lagos DSVA urged members of the public to report cases of child abuse through the agency’s 24-hour toll-free line.