Police Arrest Woman After Viral Video Shows Alleged Knife Attack on 12-Year-Old Niece in Abia

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

Police said the suspect will be charged with attempted murder upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command's spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Monday, saying operatives of the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters acted on credible intelligence to rescue the child, arrest the suspect and recover the kitchen knife allegedly used during the attack.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on July 5 at IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia, where the suspect resides. Ms Gift, who is from Ehimembano in Imo State, allegedly attacked her niece, Ebo Chimamanda, after accusing the girl of failing to spread clothes before she left for the market.

Police said further investigations showed that the child, who lived with her aunt, had allegedly been subjected to repeated physical abuse and threats before the latest incident.

"The victim had been repeatedly beaten and threatened with death before this attack," the statement said.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

"The suspect will be charged for attempted murder upon conclusion of investigation," the police added.

The arrest followed widespread outrage over a 119-second video circulated on Facebook showing the alleged assault.

In the footage, the visibly distressed child is seen lying on the floor while the suspect allegedly sits on her, repeatedly threatening and striking her with what appears to be a kitchen knife.

The girl cries uncontrollably and repeatedly pleads for mercy throughout the incident.

At one point, an unidentified voice is heard asking in Pidgin, "Who de video am?" while the assault continues.

A man later enters the scene, restrains the suspect and briefly confiscates the knife before the confrontation ends. Before leaving, the suspect is heard saying, "Stupid girl!" and subsequently retrieves the knife.

The disturbing footage triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians demanding justice for the child and stronger enforcement of laws protecting children from abuse.

The Abia State Police Command condemned the incident and urged members of the public to promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other criminal acts to the nearest police station.

Under Nigeria's Constitution, every citizen, including children, is guaranteed the right to life and protection from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. Attempted murder remains a serious criminal offence under Nigerian law and, upon conviction, attracts severe penalties, including life imprisonment depending on the applicable law and the circumstances established in court.