By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old woman, Nwoko Gift, for allegedly attempting to kill her 12-year-old niece after the child reportedly failed to carry out a household chore.
The command said the suspect, an indigene of Imo State who resides at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia, will be charged to court for attempted murder following the conclusion of investigations.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on July 5, when the suspect allegedly armed herself with a kitchen knife and attacked the victim, Miss Ebo Chimamanda.
According to the police, the attack was triggered by the girl’s alleged refusal to spread clothes before the suspect left for the market.
The command further revealed that the suspect had allegedly subjected the child, who lives with her, to repeated physical abuse and had on several occasions threatened to kill her.
The incident came to public attention after a disturbing video showing the woman assaulting the girl while wielding a knife circulated on social media, sparking widespread outrage and calls for swift intervention.
DSP Chinaka said operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters in Umuahia responded promptly after receiving actionable intelligence. They rescued the victim, arrested the suspect at the scene and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used during the attack.
The state police spokesperson added that the case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
“The Abia State Police Command is aware of a viral video on social media depicting a woman attempting to harm a young girl with a knife. The suspect has been apprehended, and investigation is ongoing.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that on 05/07/2026, Mrs. Nwoko Gift, female, 35 years old, of Ehimembano Imo State but resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, the aunt to Miss Ebo Chimamanda (female, 12 years) of the same address, on the same date attempted to kill Miss Ebo Chimamanda, who stays with her, on the basis that she refused to spread the clothes she was asked to spread before the suspect (Mrs. Gift) left for the market. Investigation also revealed that the suspect has repeatedly beaten and has been threatening to kill young Miss Chimamanda.
“Operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene leveraging on actionable intelligence, rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the exhibit knife. Investigation is ongoing, as the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), and the suspect will be charged for attempted murder upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Command condemns such actions for whatever reasons and advises members of the public to desist from such act, as well as to report any such incidents to the nearest police station.”
The victim is currently safe, while the police assured the public that justice would be pursued in accordance with the law.
