Monday, September 14, 2026 - The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Ogechi Ofoma, for allegedly abusing and inflicting bodily injuries on her seven-year-old daughter in Ibollo community, Awada-Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The seven-year-old, identified as Oluebube, was allegedly
injured with a hot knife following an accusation that she took meat from a pot.
It was gathered that the suspect was arrested on Sunday by
the police in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social
Welfare. She is currently in custody at the Awada Police Station, pending
further investigation.
Confirming the incident in a statement released on Monday,
the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said
the suspect was arrested through the vigilance, courage and public-spirited
intervention of community security personnel and residents.
Ikenga reaffirmed the police’s resolve to ensure that those
responsible were brought to justice.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has strongly condemned the alleged brutal abuse of a seven-year-old girl in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area and has reaffirmed its resolve to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“The Command received a report in the evening of September
13, 2026 concerning alleged child abuse and severe bodily injuries involving
Oluebube Ofoma, aged seven.
“The prompt intervention of security personnel from the
Ibollo Community, Awada-Obosi, and concerned residents led to the child’s
rescue and the arrest of her mother, Mrs Ogechi Ofoma, 32.
“Preliminary information indicates that the child was
allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including injuries reportedly
inflicted with a hot knife.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State
Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has commenced collaboration with the Anambra State
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to ensure that the victim
receives urgent and appropriate medical care, protection and all necessary
welfare support.
“The Command commends the vigilance, courage, and
public-spirited intervention of the Ibollo Community security personnel and
residents whose swift action helped save the child from further harm and
enabled the immediate commencement of police action.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures the public that
the investigation will be thorough, professional, and uncompromising. “The
welfare, safety, and best interests of the child remain paramount, and the
Command will continue to work with relevant agencies to protect vulnerable
persons and ensure accountability in accordance with the law,” the statement
added.
Also reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Women
and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, condemned the incident, describing the
alleged act as “inhumane and a gross violation” of the rights and dignity of a
child. nyekesi commended the police for their prompt response and swift arrest
of the suspect, noting that effective collaboration between security agencies
and social welfare authorities remained crucial to addressing cases involving
vulnerable persons.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the state government, under
the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to creating a safer environment
where children could grow free from violence and other forms of exploitation,
warning that persons found culpable of violating the rights of children would
face the full weight of the law.
The commissioner also called on residents to remain vigilant
and report suspected cases of maltreatment, molestation, neglect or other
threats to the safety of children to the appropriate authorities. She
assured residents that the state would continue to strengthen its protective
interventions and work with relevant agencies to uphold the rights, dignity and
welfare of women and children across Anambra.
0 Comments