Lagos Arrests Man Over Viral Video of Toddler Being Flogged

The Lagos State Government has confirmed the arrest of a man allegedly seen repeatedly flogging a toddler in a viral social media video, as authorities intensify investigations into the reported child abuse.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and is currently in police custody following the circulation of a video that showed a shirtless man repeatedly hitting a young child with what appeared to be a charger cable.

The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed the child crying and attempting to shield her head and body from the blows. The video triggered widespread concern and calls for authorities to identify and apprehend the person involved.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) initially launched efforts to identify and locate the alleged perpetrator after the video came to public attention.

NAPTIP said it was working with relevant security agencies to locate the man and ensure that he faced appropriate legal action if the allegations were established.

The development took a new turn after the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended.

The DSVA said it was alerted to the alleged abuse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Tuesday and immediately activated its response mechanism.

READ ALSO:

• Kwara Police Deny Shooting Motorcyclist at Oyun Bridge, Explain Viral Video
• Police Probe Alleged Self-Kidnapping of Adeleke’s Aide in Osun
• Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats

The agency subsequently established contact with the child’s mother, who reportedly disclosed that the incident had already been brought to the attention of authorities.

The mother had reportedly approached the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, while the matter was also reported at the Imota Police Station.

The DSVA said officers at the Family Support Unit confirmed that the complaint had been received and that the authorities were already taking steps to address the matter.

Following the reports, the alleged perpetrator was arrested on September 23 and taken into police custody for further investigation.

The child and her mother have also been referred to a General Hospital for 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 also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance policy on child abuse, stressing the importance of protecting children from physical violence and other forms of abuse.

The arrest came shortly after NAPTIP’s appeal for information, effectively bringing the initial manhunt to an end while shifting attention to the police investigation and possible prosecution.

The incident has also renewed concerns about the use of social media videos to expose alleged child abuse cases in Nigeria. While viral footage can draw attention to suspected abuse, authorities still have to establish the circumstances surrounding each case through investigation and due process.

For the Lagos incident, the police investigation is expected to determine what led to the alleged assault, the relationship between the suspect and the child, and whether additional offences were committed.

The suspect’s arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. The allegations remain subject to investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.

For now, the Lagos Government has confirmed the arrest, while the child and her mother are receiving medical attention and support as authorities continue investigating the alleged abuse.

Lagos Arrests Man Over Viral Video of Toddler Being Flogged

Kwara Police Deny Shooting Motorcyclist at Oyun Bridge, Explain Viral Video

The Kwara State Police Command has denied reports that its officers shot a 23-year-old motorcyclist during an incident at Oyun Bridge in Ilorin, saying the viral video that triggered the allegation did not accurately reflect what happened.

The command said Abdurasaq Lukman was not shot but sustained minor injuries after he allegedly rode at high speed and knocked down a police officer during a routine patrol and stop-and-search operation.

The clarification was issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, following the circulation of a video on social media suggesting that the motorcyclist had been shot by police personnel.

According to the police, the incident occurred around Oyun Bridge, on the highway leading towards the Kwara State Polytechnic, where officers were conducting patrol and stop-and-search duties.

The command identified the police officer involved as Corporal Saka Azeez, saying Lukman allegedly knocked him down while riding at high speed.

The impact, according to the police account, left Corporal Azeez with serious head injuries and a fracture, while Lukman sustained minor injuries.

Other officers at the scene reportedly intervened and took both the injured police officer and the motorcyclist to a medical facility for treatment.

READ ALSO:

• Police Probe Alleged Self-Kidnapping of Adeleke’s Aide in Osun
• Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats
• Osun APC Warns Adeleke Govt Over Alleged Victimisation of Local Govt Workers

The police said Lukman was treated and discharged but remains in police custody to assist with investigations into the incident.

Corporal Azeez, however, remains under medical care and is expected to undergo further medical examinations and scans to determine the full extent of his head injuries.

The command stressed that no person was shot during the incident, directly contradicting the claims accompanying the viral video.

The video had generated concern online, with earlier reports alleging that a young man had been shot by police officers around the bridge following an altercation involving police personnel and some young people reportedly believed to be students of the polytechnic.

Those earlier claims were not reflected in the police’s subsequent account of the incident.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, urged members of the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified information, particularly material circulating on social media.

He said the command recognised citizens’ concerns about police activities but stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it in order to prevent unnecessary anxiety and misunderstanding.

The police clarification does not, however, end the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

With Lukman still in police custody and Corporal Azeez receiving medical treatment, the outcome of the investigation is expected to provide further details about the events at Oyun Bridge.

For now, the Kwara Police Command maintains that the motorcyclist was not shot, but was injured in a collision with the police officer, while the motorcyclist remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Kwara Police Deny Shooting Motorcyclist at Oyun Bridge, Explain Viral Video

Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats

A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has announced plans to file a $36 million federal lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, over alleged threats against the firm’s principal, Dr Karl Von Batten.

The firm, which is working for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, said it had been cleared and authorised to proceed with the proposed case at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the firm alleged that the planned action arose from threats to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten, which it attributed to Fani-Kayode.

It further alleged that the threats formed part of what it described as an organised criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.

The allegations have not been established by any court, and the proposed complaint had not been confirmed as filed in the US federal court as of Wednesday.

The firm said the proposed lawsuit would rely on provisions of District of Columbia tort law, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

It said the case involving President Tinubu would also raise questions concerning foreign sovereign immunity and head-of-state immunity while he remains in office.

READ ALSO:

• 18 Suspected Bandits Killed as Security Forces Foil Mass Kidnap in Katsina
• Police Arrest Two Arms Dealers, Recover 300 Rounds of Ammunition in Kaduna
• Petrol Depot Prices Fall as Dangote, Marketers Cut Rates, Pump Price Reduction Looms

The firm further announced plans to engage immigration authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union after filing the case, asking them to consider whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed in light of the allegations.

However, any decision on immigration or visa matters would rest with the relevant government authorities.

The proposed lawsuit follows an escalating dispute between Von Batten-Montague-York and Fani-Kayode over the firm’s campaign concerning historical United States records linked to allegations involving President Tinubu.

The firm has in recent months pursued Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and litigation seeking access to US government records relating to Tinubu’s past dealings with American law-enforcement agencies.

It has also publicly criticised the Nigerian President and said it had shared documents concerning the matter with officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump, members of Congress and congressional staff.

Fani-Kayode has responded forcefully to the lobbyist’s campaign and has denied threatening to kidnap or harm Von Batten.

The former Aviation Minister said nobody was interested in killing or kidnapping Von Batten and accused him of making false claims against President Tinubu and the Nigerian government.

Fani-Kayode also said he intended to challenge Von Batten’s claims through lawful means.

The dispute has attracted additional attention because of the political relationship between Von Batten’s firm and Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking to challenge Tinubu politically.

Von Batten-Montague-York has presented the proposed litigation as a response to alleged threats against its principal, while Fani-Kayode has rejected the allegations.

The $36 million lawsuit remains at the proposed-litigation stage. The firm’s announcement that it had been authorised to proceed does not by itself establish that a federal complaint has been filed or that the allegations have been proven.

If the complaint is filed, the US court would have to consider the claims and any jurisdictional or immunity issues raised by the defendants. The filing itself would not establish the truth of the allegations.

For now, the central claims remain disputed, with Von Batten-Montague-York alleging threats of kidnapping and physical harm, while Fani-Kayode denies making such threats. There has been no court finding establishing the alleged conspiracy or threats.

Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats