The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, identified as Mrs Nwoko Gift, for allegedly attempting to kill her 12-year-old house help, Miss Ebony Chimamanda, in Umuahia.
The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on social media, which allegedly showed the suspect attacking the young girl with a knife.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on July 5, 2026.
Police said the suspect, who hails from Ehime Mbano but resides at the IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia, allegedly attacked the girl after she reportedly failed to spread clothes as instructed before the woman left for the market.
The command disclosed that further investigations indicated the victim had allegedly been subjected to repeated physical abuse and death threats while living with the suspect.
Acting on intelligence, officers from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters in Umuahia responded swiftly to the scene, rescued the child, arrested the suspect and recovered the knife allegedly used in the attack.
Police said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The command added that the suspect would be charged with attempted murder upon the conclusion of investigations.
Condemning the alleged act, the police urged members of the public to refrain from all forms of violence and abuse, while encouraging residents to promptly report similar incidents to law enforcement authorities for immediate action.