Abia Police arrest man in viral video brutalising a lady, suspect faces attempted murder charge

By James Ike

Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a 37-year-old man, Agwu Ukpo, over the brutal assault of a woman identified as Amarachi Chinyere in a viral video that sparked widespread outrage across social media.

Police authorities said Ukpo, a native of Akanu community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State who resides in Okpuafor, Obingwa LGA, was apprehended following intelligence-led investigations by the command.

According to preliminary findings, the incident occurred on April 4, 2026, at a residence in Aba where the suspect and the victim were living.

Investigators said the altercation began after Chinyere allegedly washed a pot containing leftover soup that had been stored for about three days while cleaning up after a meal.

The suspect reportedly became enraged upon discovering the soup had been discarded and allegedly attacked the woman despite her attempts to explain her actions.

The assault was captured in a video that later went viral, triggering widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over domestic violence in the state.

Police said the video was posted online by Obinna Amaogu, the landlord of the apartment where the incident occurred and a fellow indigene of Akanu community in Ohafia LGA.

Amaogu had reportedly been accommodating both the suspect and the victim because they were from the same village.

Following the incident, the victim relocated to Lagos and was initially unreachable. However, police said contact was later established with her through a mobile phone number provided by a member of her community.

Acting on the information gathered, VCRU operatives tracked down and arrested the suspect.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Police said Ukpo would be charged with offences bordering on assault and attempted murder upon the conclusion of investigations.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chioma Chinaka, the command condemned the attack, describing it as "barbaric, inhumane and a grave act of domestic violence that has no place in any civilised society."

The police reiterated their commitment to securing justice for victims of abuse and warned that perpetrators of violent crimes would face the full weight of the law.

The incident has continued to generate widespread reactions, with many Nigerians calling for swift prosecution and stronger protections for victims of domestic violence.

Advocates say the case has once again highlighted the growing challenge of gender-based violence in Nigeria and underscored the need for increased public awareness, early intervention and stricter accountability for offenders.