Abia State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old man, Agwu Ukpo, over his alleged involvement in a violent assault on a woman captured in a viral video that sparked widespread public outrage.
Ukpo, who hails from Akanu Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following intelligence-led operations.
According to the Police, the suspect was seen in the widely circulated video allegedly attacking a woman identified as Amarachi Chiyere during a dispute reportedly linked to a pot of soup.
Confirming the arrest in a press statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
“Leveraging on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Abia Command, have apprehended the above mentioned suspect, who was captured in a viral video assaulting one Amarachi Chiyere over a dispute relating to a pot of soup,” the statement read.
She added that, “The case is currently under discreet investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), and the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.”
The Command described the incident as a disturbing case of domestic violence and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
“The Abia State Police Command once again strongly condemns this barbaric and inhumane act of domestic violence and reiterates the fact that such behaviour is unacceptable under any circumstances,” Chinaka stated.
She further urged residents to shun all forms of violence, assuring that the Command remains determined to uphold justice and maintain public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to desist from all forms of violence, as the Command remains fully committed to ensuring justice is served in the state and that perpetrators of crime will be made to face the wrath of the law,” she added.
The arrest has been welcomed by many residents and social media users who had called for swift action after the video of the alleged assault went viral online.
