The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old woman, Gift Nwoko, residing at IBB Housing Estate in Umuahia, over alleged attempted murder of her niece, Chimamanda Ebo.
DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the disclosure in a statement issued on Monday in Umuahia.
According to Chinaka, preliminary investigation revealed that Nwoko who hails from Ehime- Mbano in Imo was an aunt to 12-year-old Ebo.
The woman, who had been living with Ebo, attempted to kill her on Sunday for failing to spread clothes she directed her earlier before going to the market.
Chinaka said investigations further showed that the suspect had repeatedly beaten and threatened to kill the girl.
“Operatives from the World Bank Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuahia, raced to the scene leveraging on actionable intelligence.
“They rescued the victim, apprehended the suspect, and recovered the exhibit knife,” she said.
The spokesperson said that investigation was ongoing while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
The PPRO said the suspect would be charged for attempted murder upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Command condemns such actions for whatever reasons and advises members of the public to desist from such acts, and to report any such incidents to the nearest police station.
“Together we can keep Abia safe; see something, say something.” Chinaka said.