The man seen in a viral video allegedly beating a toddler with a charger cable in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has been arrested and is now in police custody.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, following widespread outrage over the footage.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed the man repeatedly flogging the little girl across her head and body with what appeared to be a charger cable.
The disturbing footage sparked calls for the suspect to be identified and arrested, with several Nigerians demanding urgent intervention to protect the child.
According to the DSVA, it activated its response mechanism after being alerted to the incident and established contact with the toddler’s mother.
The mother reportedly told the agency that the matter had already been reported to authorities, including at Imota Police Station.
The agency subsequently contacted the Family Support Unit and was informed that the mother had initially reported the case to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
The alleged perpetrator was then apprehended on Wednesday and handed over to the police for further investigation.
The suspect remains in custody as investigators probe the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
The DSVA also disclosed that the toddler and her mother had been referred to a General Hospital for immediate medical attention and further assessment.
The development came after the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons had earlier announced that it was working with security agencies to identify and locate the man seen in the video, with a view to prosecution.
The Lagos agency said it would continue to monitor the case and provide necessary support and protection to the child and her mother.
It also thanked members of the public who brought the alleged abuse to the attention of the authorities.
The state government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse, stressing that cases of abuse should be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.
The agency urged members of the public to report suspected child-abuse cases through the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development or the DSVA.
The arrest marks the latest development in a case that quickly moved from social media outrage to official intervention after the graphic video triggered demands for action.
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