*faces attempted murder charge
By Florencemary Nwabueze
A 35-year-old woman identified as Nwoko Gift is facing attempted murder charges after she attacked her 12-year-old niece identified as Ebo Chimamanda with a kitchen knife because the young girl refused to spread clothes after her aunt left for the market. The disturbing incident, which was captured on video and went viral across social media, has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the growing issue of child abuse by relatives entrusted with the care of minors across Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by Abia State Police Command public relation, DSP Moureen Chioma Chinaka, the suspect Nwoko Gift who hails from Ehimembano in Imo state attacked her young niece Ebo Chimamanda on July 5, 2026, at their residence in IBB Housing Estate, Umuahia.
“The aunt to Miss Ebo Chimamanda 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 cloths she was asked to spread before the suspect (mrs. Gift) left for the market.” the statement reads
What followed was a brutal assault – with the aunt wielding a kitchen knife against her young niece.
Police investigations further uncovered a more troubling picture. The suspect has reportedly been subjecting young Chimamanda to repeated abuse and threat.
"Investigation also revealed that the suspect has repeatedly beaten and has been threatening to kill young Miss Chimamanda" the statement reads
Acting on intelligence gathered from the viral video and other sources, operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene, rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the knife used in the attack as an exhibit. The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation.
“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.” The statement reads
The Abia State Police Command further condemned such actions, regardless of the reasons behind them and charge citizens to keep Abia safe.
"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 read.