The police command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested Ekere Ebong, a lawyer who was seen in a viral video brutalising his wife in Uyo, the state capital.

In a video that made the rounds on social media over the weekend, Ebong was seen physically assaulting his wife at their Uyo residence.

In the five-minute clip, the woman can be seen lying on the ground with blood coming out of her mouth, while begging her husband to stop the assault.

The woman was rescued by her neighbours, who challenged Ebong.

One of the neighbours said the man has been beating his wife almost every night in the last four years.

The video elicited angry reactions on social media, with most Nigerians calling on the police to arrest the lawyer.

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

Macdon said the lawyer will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of 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, hence, the commissioner of police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order,” the police spokesperson said.

“The CP has warned perpetrators of violent crimes in the state to desist forthwith while urging family members to endeavour to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violent attacks.”