The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old woman, Ogechi Ofoma, for allegedly inflicting severe injuries on her seven-year-old daughter in the Ibollo community, Awada-Obosi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The child, identified as Oluebube Ofoma, was reportedly injured with a hot knife after her mother allegedly accused her of taking meat from a cooking pot.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday following the intervention of community security personnel and residents, in collaboration with officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
She is currently being held at the Awada Police Station while the police investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command received a report concerning the alleged abuse and severe bodily injuries inflicted on the child on September 13, 2026.
Ikenga said preliminary findings indicated that the girl had allegedly been subjected to severe physical abuse, including injuries reportedly caused by a hot knife.
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 police spokesman commended the Ibollo community security personnel and residents for rescuing the child and facilitating the arrest of the suspect.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, had begun working with the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to ensure that the victim received urgent medical attention, protection and other necessary welfare support.
Ikenga assured the public that the investigation would be thorough and professional, stressing that the safety and welfare of the child remained a priority.
He said the command would continue to work with relevant agencies to protect vulnerable persons and ensure that anyone found culpable faced the law.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as inhumane and a violation of the rights and dignity of a child. She commended the police for their swift response and arrest of the suspect.
Onyekesi said the state government, under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, remained committed to providing a safe environment for children and warned that anyone found responsible for violating children’s rights would face the full weight of the law.
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She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases of child abuse, molestation, neglect or other threats to the safety and wellbeing of children to the appropriate authorities.
