A 12-year-old girl narrowly escaped a violent attack in Umuahia. Police arrested a 35-year-old woman after officers found the suspect allegedly threatening the child with a kitchen knife
UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE — The Abia State Police Command says it has arrested Nwoko Gift, a 35-year-old woman from Imo State, for allegedly attempting to take the life of her 12-year-old niece, Miss Ebo Chimamanda, at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the suspect will face an attempted murder charge after investigations are completed.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the incident happened on July 5 after the young girl allegedly failed to spread clothes before the suspect left for the market. The command said the suspect allegedly armed herself with a kitchen knife and threatened the child. Police also said investigations revealed that the girl, who lives with the suspect, had allegedly suffered repeated physical abuse and threats before the latest incident.
DSP Maureen Chinaka said officers attached to the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters acted on credible intelligence and arrived at the scene in time to rescue the victim. She said the officers arrested Nwoko Gift and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used during the incident. The police spokesperson added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The police said investigators are gathering additional evidence and statements to support the prosecution. According to the command, the suspect will be formally charged with attempted murder after the investigation is concluded. The victim is currently safe following the police intervention, while authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse.
The development means the Abia State Police Command is intensifying efforts to address cases involving violence against children and domestic abuse. The case also highlights the importance of timely reports from members of the public, as police said actionable intelligence enabled officers to rescue the victim before more serious harm occurred. Authorities have urged residents to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse and other violent crimes to the nearest police station.
