Abia State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old woman accused of attempting to kill her 12-year-old niece in Umuahia.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the command said it became aware of a viral video circulating on social media showing a woman allegedly attempting to attack a young girl with a kitchen knife.
Following the incident, police operatives moved swiftly to the scene, rescued the victim and arrested the suspect.
According to the police, the suspect, Mrs. Nwoko Gift, a native of Ehimembano in Imo State who resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, allegedly attempted to kill her 12-year-old niece, Miss Ebo Chimamanda, on July 5, 2026.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the girl lives with her aunt and was allegedly attacked after refusing to spread clothes before the suspect left for the market.
The police also disclosed that investigations indicate the suspect had repeatedly assaulted the child in the past and allegedly threatened to kill her on several occasions.
Operatives attached to the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, acted on credible intelligence, rescued the victim, arrested the suspect and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used in the attack.
The recovered knife has been taken into police custody as evidence.
According to the command, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The police stated that the suspect will be charged with attempted murder once investigations are completed.
Reacting to the incident, the Abia State Police Command strongly condemned acts of violence against children and warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
The command also encouraged residents to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other criminal activities to the nearest police station.
The statement was signed by DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, on July 6, 2026.
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