By Peter.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested Inspector Sunday Ideh (also reported as Idey), attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit at Igbogene Police Division, for allegedly subjecting his three young children to savage beatings over baseless witchcraft accusations.
The horrific incident unfolded over the weekend in Yenagoa, sparking widespread outrage among residents and rights groups. Concerned neighbors alerted Operation Doo Akpor (a state security patrol unit), who rushed in to rescue the battered children and rushed them to a hospital for urgent treatment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Sanusi Mohammed, confirmed the arrest during a visit by advocates from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)—led by Vice Chair Vivien Brisibe—and FIDA Bayelsa, headed by Dr. Boma Toney Miebai (also noted as Boma Miebaiwho). Mohammed described Ideh as a once-“upright officer” but vowed no cover-up, announcing a mandatory mental health evaluation to assess his psychological fitness before full criminal charges kick in.
“This is a grave betrayal of trust by a law enforcer. We demand swift justice—no child should endure this nightmare,” Dr. Miebai told reporters, pushing for attempted murder and criminal assault charges while expressing fears for the kids’ ongoing safety.
The case has ignited fury from anti-GBV coalitions like the National Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (led by Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry) and The Do Foundation (Chair Barr. Dianna Iluma Pius), who penned a commendation to CP Francis Idu for the rapid response but urged relentless pursuit of accountability.
Child rights advocates are now amplifying calls to enforce the Child Rights Act across the Niger Delta, decrying persistent “witch hunting” superstitions that endanger kids—echoing a parallel tragedy where a father allegedly poisoned his three sons over similar delusions. Officials from the Bayelsa Ministry of Women Affairs have visited the scene and hospital to monitor the victims.
On X, locals and activists are rallying with raw anger: “How does a cop fight cults but terrorize his own blood? #EndWitchHuntsNG” —trending alongside shares from stations like @RhythmBayelsa confirming the bust.
CP Idu has reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance for intra-family violence, promising the evaluation will pave the way for diligent prosecution to restore public faith.
#BayelsaChildAbuse #EndWitchcraftAccusations #PoliceAccountability #ChildRightsNG #FIDAJustice #GBVAlert #OperationDooAkpor #YenagoaOutrage
