THE Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Fatai Quadri, after a viral video showed him repeatedly punching his wife, Rukayat, at their home in Illese-Ijebu.
Spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, a chief superintendent of police, confirmed the arrest in a statement Saturday evening.
She said operatives from the Igbeba Divisional Headquarters in Ijebu-Ode moved quickly to apprehend Quadri once the footage surfaced online.
The video showed Rukayat crying out in Yoruba, “Fatai ma pa mi,” meaning “Fatai, please don’t kill me”, as her husband rained blows on her head and neck.
The woman was also heard begging for help and asking that the gate be opened for her. The beating started inside the room and continued into the compound as the husband repeatedly punched her and kicked her.
However, the command’s spokesperson said a preliminary investigation revealed that the assault followed a marital dispute linked to allegations of infidelity.
He also noted that Quadri had recently transferred ownership of a 10-room apartment, which he and Rukayat built together, to another woman.
“The investigation further indicated that the suspect had transferred ownership of a 10-room en-suite apartment, jointly built with his wife, to another woman who provoked the violent attack.
“The victim is presently receiving medical treatment, while the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation, “ Odutola said.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned the assault and reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance for domestic violence.
He also urged residents, particularly victims of abuse to report threats or attacks promptly, stressing that “silence only empowers perpetrators, but timely reporting ensures protection and justice.”
Meanwhile, top government officials in the state have pledged to ensure swift prosecution of the accused.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, described the attack as “very reprehensible.”
This incident. The ICIR reports, highlights Nigeria’s worrying tide of gender-based violence.
Data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) show 3,972 domestic violence cases and 1,471 incidents of sexual violence were recorded nationwide in June 2025 alone.
In first half of the year, the NHRC documented over 38,000 gender-based violence complaints.
The ICIR further reports that Nigeria’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), enacted in 2015, criminalises domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, and other forms of abuse, and provides for survivor protection and compensation.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M