The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman captured in a viral video allegedly attempting to stab her 12-year-old niece with a kitchen knife, disclosing that she will be charged with attempted murder after investigations are concluded.
The Command announced the arrest in a statement issued on Monday, July 6, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the police, the suspect, Mrs. Nwoko Gift, an indigene of Ehimembano in Imo State who resides at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, allegedly attacked her niece, Miss Ebo Chimamanda, over her failure to spread clothes before she left for the market.
“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 said.
The Command disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the incident occurred on Saturday, July 5, and that the victim had allegedly endured repeated physical abuse and death threats from the suspect.
“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 police further stated: “Investigation also revealed that the suspect has repeatedly beaten and has been threatening to kill young Miss Chimamanda.”
According to the statement, operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters in Umuahia responded swiftly after receiving actionable intelligence, rescued the girl unharmed, arrested the suspect and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used in the attack.
“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.”
The Command said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, adding that the suspect would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the probe.
“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.”
Condemning the incident, the police warned against all forms of domestic violence and urged residents to promptly 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 statement added.
