A 32-year-old woman, Ogechi Ofoma, has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly inflicting severe injuries on her seven-year-old daughter, Oluebube, in the Obosi area of Idemili North Local Government Area.
The child was reportedly injured with a heated knife after her mother allegedly accused her of taking meat from a cooking pot.
The incident occurred in the Ibollo community, Awada-Obosi, where community security personnel and residents reportedly intervened after noticing the child’s condition and alerted the authorities.
The police, working with officials of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, arrested Ofoma on Sunday. She was subsequently taken to the Awada Police Station, where she remained in custody as investigations continued.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command received a report of alleged child abuse and severe bodily injuries involving the girl on the evening of September 13, 2026.
Ikenga said, “Preliminary information indicates that the child was allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse, including injuries reportedly inflicted with a hot knife.”
He said the intervention of Ibollo community security personnel and residents enabled the girl to be rescued and prevented further harm.
“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,” Ikenga stated.
He added that Commissioner of Police Nnanna Ama had commenced collaboration with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to ensure that the victim received urgent medical attention, protection and necessary welfare support.
Ikenga commended the community members for their prompt response, assuring that the investigation would be conducted professionally and that the welfare and safety of the child remained paramount.
Also reacting, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, condemned the alleged assault as “inhumane and a gross violation” of the rights and dignity of a child.
Onyekesi commended the police for the swift arrest and called on residents to report cases of child abuse, neglect, molestation and other threats to children’s safety to the appropriate authorities.
She said the state government remained committed to strengthening measures to protect women and children and warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
