NAPTIP BEGINS SEARCH OR MAN SEEN ASSAULTING TODDLER IN VIRAL CLIP

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has launched efforts to identify and locate a man captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting a toddler with what appears to be a charger cable. The footage, which surfaced on social media on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, shows the shirtless man repeatedly striking the child on the head and body while the toddler cries and attempts to shield herself from the blows.

In the video, the man, who was wearing green athletic shorts, is seen hitting the child several times with the cable before the toddler falls onto a tiled floor. The child continues crying and uses her hands to protect her head as the assault continues. The man is also heard speaking aggressively to the child and using the Yoruba expression “Ori ẹ o ma pe,” before bending down and forcing the crying toddler back up.

The disturbing footage quickly generated widespread reactions online, with Nigerians calling for the man's identity to be established and for authorities to take action. The circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, including the identity of the child, the man involved and where the incident took place, had not been publicly established at the time of the report.

Reacting to the video, NAPTIP said it had taken note of the incident and was working with relevant security agencies to identify and locate the alleged perpetrator. The agency said child abuse would not be tolerated and that anyone found responsible would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law. NAPTIP also appealed to members of the public who may have information capable of assisting the investigation to come forward.

The agency urged anyone with useful information about the man or the incident to contact it through its official channels, including its direct messaging platform, email and the short code 627. NAPTIP reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that suspected cases of abuse are properly investigated. The agency's intervention followed the widespread circulation of the video and public demands for authorities to act over the alleged assault.