Police arrest mother for burning daughter with hot knife

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.