The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested Mr. Nwankpu James, a self-proclaimed prophet, over the alleged abuse and humiliation of a child accused of witchcraft.
Mrs. Hope Okafor, the Commissioner of Police, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday by SP Joshua Ukandu, the command’s spokesperson. According to Okafor, the incident took place in Isohumini Agbaja, a community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest followed the release of a viral video showing James allegedly mistreating the child in a cruel and inhumane manner. The video sparked public outrage, prompting the police to take immediate action.
“Following the circulation of the video, the operatives were directed to ensure the swift arrest of the suspect and rescue the child,” Okafor stated. She further explained that the police tracked James and the child’s parents to Isohumini Agbaja, where the prophet was apprehended, and the child was rescued.
James is currently in police custody, with investigations into the matter ongoing. The child, who suffered from the abuse, has been admitted to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki (FETHA) for immediate medical attention.
Okafor reiterated the police command’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens, particularly children. She strongly condemned all forms of child abuse and emphasized that inhumane acts would not be tolerated.
A local resident, Mr. Mather Nwachukwu, claimed that the child had been experiencing frequent illnesses, leading her parents to seek spiritual help from James. However, it was alleged that instead of offering proper assistance, James accused the child of witchcraft and subjected her to degrading practices under the pretext of a spiritual deliverance.
