The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, identified as Nwoko Gift, for allegedly attacking her 12-year-old niece with a kitchen knife in Umuahia.
The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on social media showing the suspect allegedly assaulting the girl while threatening her with the weapon.
The command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the suspect would be charged with attempted murder after the conclusion of investigations.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the incident occurred on July 5 at the suspect’s residence in IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia.
Chinaka said the victim, identified as Ebo Chimamanda, was allegedly attacked after she failed to spread clothes before the suspect left for the market.
She added that investigations revealed the girl had allegedly been subjected to repeated physical abuse and threats by the suspect before the latest incident.
“The suspect, Nwoko Gift, who hails from Ehimembano in Imo State but resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, allegedly attacked her 12-year-old niece with a kitchen knife. Preliminary investigation also revealed that she had repeatedly beaten and threatened to kill the child before this incident,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson said operatives of the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters acted on credible intelligence, rescued the victim, arrested the suspect and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used during the attack.
She said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
“The suspect will be charged for attempted murder upon the conclusion of investigation,” Chinaka said.
She added that the command condemned all forms of child abuse and urged members of the public to promptly report cases of domestic violence and child maltreatment to the nearest police station.
The 119-second video, which sparked outrage on social media, showed the terrified girl lying helplessly on the floor while the suspect allegedly sat on her, repeatedly threatening and assaulting her with what appeared to be a kitchen knife.
In the footage, the victim was heard crying and pleading for mercy as the assault continued before a man intervened and temporarily disarmed the suspect.
