Ebonyi police said they have arrested ten persons in connection with the alleged torture of a cleric.

The Pastor identified as Oko Chukwu Obeni was allegedly tried and punished by the Traditional Council of his Amasiri community known as the Essa and Isi Oru.

In a viral video, his hands were tied to his back and he was flogged and beaten.

Following outcries and condemnations that greeted the incident, the Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Julius Amadi Nyerere and 9 others for the alleged assault.

Police Spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah stated this in a statement.

“On 14th of May at about 5:pm one Pastor Oko Chukwu Obeni ‘m’ age 30yrs of Ndukwe Amasiri village in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State reported at Afikpo North Division that Isi Oru Age Grade led by one Julius Amadi Nyerere and deputized by one Eze Ogbonna ‘m’ all of the same address dragged him to the Ogo Playground in the area, tired his both hands to back and flogged him severally with canes which infected multiple injuries all over his body and poured him with filthy water’, the Spokesman said.”

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Mrs Odah said that following the report, the victim was immediately taken to the hospital for proper medical care and he is responding to treatment.

“Subsequently, the leader of the Isi Oru Age Grade Mr Julius Amadi Nyerere and nine others were arrested in connection of the case”, she said.

According to Odah preliminary Investigation revealed that the assault was as a result of a post made by the victim in one of the popular Social media platforms, Facebook, condemning a particular action of Afikpo North LGA Council Chairman Hon. Ogbonnia Oko Enyim and commending the Traditional Ruler of the area and his cabinet over the decision taken against the Council boss for such action’.

She added that the LGA Council Chairman’s loyalist was allegedly angered by this post in the said platform causing them to take the laws into their hands thereby committing the heinous crime.

“Meanwhile, the Acting Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, DCP Yekini A. Ayoku urged the general public to remain calm as he has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter with a view to unravelling the circumstances that led to such inhuman treatment”, Odah added.