Police Rescue 12-Year-Old as Aunt Faces Attempted Murder Probe

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Nwoko Gift, following a viral video that allegedly showed her attempting to attack her 12-year-old niece with a kitchen knife in Umuahia.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on July 5, 2026, at the suspect’s residence in IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia. The suspect allegedly attempted to kill the victim, Miss Ebo Chimamanda, after accusing her of failing to spread clothes before she left for the market.
The Command further disclosed that investigations uncovered an alleged pattern of abuse, indicating that the suspect had repeatedly assaulted the child physically and threatened to kill her on several occasions.
Police said operatives attached to the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters acted swiftly on credible intelligence after the incident. The officers rescued the 12-year-old victim, arrested the suspect at the scene, and recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used in the attempted attack.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation.
The police added that the suspect will be charged with attempted murder after investigations are concluded.
The incident has generated widespread outrage on social media following the circulation of the disturbing video, with many Nigerians calling for justice for the child and stronger measures to protect children from domestic violence and abuse.