The Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a lawyer identified as Ekere Ebong, who was captured in a viral video brutalising his wife in Uyo, the state capital.

Ebong was seen in the video which went viral on social media beating up his wife at their Uyo residence with blood stains on the woman’s shirt while she was half-naked.

She was seen begging her husband to stop beating her before she was eventually rescued by neighbours who challenged her husband.

The unpleasant scene drew angry reactions on social media, even as most Nigerians, including the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Ohanenye, called on the police to arrest the lawyer.

The Akwa Ibom police spokesperson, Odiko Macdon, said in a statement on Monday that the lawyer is “a known habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife over the years.”

According to Macdon, Ebong will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the police investigation.

“As an agency saddled with the protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order, we cannot allow Barrister Ebong to continue this flagrant abuse of human rights,” Macdon said.

“Hence, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa-Ibom, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, has ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order.”

He added that CP Durosinmi has warned perpetrators of violent crimes in the state to desist forthwith.

The CP has also urged family members to endeavour to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violent attacks.