The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old woman, Nwoko Gift, who was captured in a viral video allegedly attempting to slit the throat of a 12-year-old girl with a kitchen knife in Umuahia.
The suspect, the command said, would be charged with attempted murder after investigations are concluded.
The command disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who resides at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia and hails from Ehimembano in Imo State, attacked her niece, Miss Ebo Chimamanda, because the child failed to spread clothes before she left for the market.
In a statement dated July 6, shared on X by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the police said operatives attached to the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters responded swiftly after receiving intelligence on the incident, rescued the victim, arrested the suspect and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used in the attack.
According to the police, the case has 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,” the statement read.
The police said their preliminary findings showed that the attack occurred on July 5, 2026.
“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,” the statement added.
The command further disclosed that investigators uncovered a pattern of abuse.
“Investigation also revealed that the suspect has repeatedly beaten and has been threatening to kill young Miss Chimamanda,” the police said.
The police confirmed that a kitchen knife allegedly used during the attack had been recovered as an exhibit.
“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 statement added.
The command condemned the incident and urged members of the public to report similar cases to the nearest police station.
“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 police stated.
SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that a disturbing video showing the woman allegedly attempting to slit the child’s throat sparked outrage across Nigeria after it surfaced on social media.
The footage showed the visibly terrified girl lying helplessly on the ground while the woman repeatedly beat her before mounting her and raising a knife toward her neck.
Throughout the assault, the child repeatedly pleaded in Igbo, saying, “Aunty, biko”—meaning “Please, aunty” — while begging for mercy.
The attack was only halted when a young man, believed to be the woman’s husband or partner, intervened by forcibly taking the knife from her and pulling her away from the child before preventing her from continuing the assault.
The viral footage generated widespread outrage, with many Nigerians describing the incident as attempted murder rather than child discipline.
Author and social commentator Charles Ogbu, who shared the video on Facebook, called on authorities to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children.
“I have said it again and again, our society needs to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children,” Ogbu wrote.
“And offenders deserve nothing but the harshest punishment possible. This is a blight on human civilization.”
The case comes only days after another child abuse incident involving a 10-year-old boy, Chiziterem, in Anambra State triggered nationwide condemnation and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s child protection laws.
Rights advocates have continued to urge security agencies and prosecutors to treat severe cases of child abuse as serious criminal offences and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Source: Sahara Reporters
