The Ebonyi State Police Command has clarified an online report alleging that the wife of a serving police officer attempted to abduct children in Amachi Amagu Community, Abakaliki Local Government Area, stating that preliminary investigations found no evidence linking her to any child kidnapping incident.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Abakaliki on Friday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on March 20 and involved Mrs Chioma Nwewu, wife of an Inspector of Police serving in the state.
“She was confronted by members of the community over allegations of child abduction after she was reportedly seen wandering aimlessly within the area,” the police said.
The Command explained that the woman was attacked by some residents who stripped and tied her up while questioning her presence in the community. She was later rescued following a distress call that prompted the swift intervention of police operatives.
“She was thereafter detained at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, while members of the community were invited to provide evidence or statements to substantiate the allegations against her,” the statement added.
However, the police noted that no accusers came forward to provide evidence during the course of investigations, despite repeated invitations for clarification.
“Police operatives also visited the community on several occasions in the course of the investigation, but no useful information linking her to any child abduction incident was provided,” the Command said.
The police further disclosed that preliminary findings suggested the woman had been experiencing mental health challenges following a traumatic stillbirth, a condition reportedly supported by a medical report she presented during interrogation.
Investigators also reviewed her bank records, which showed no suspicious transactions, but indicated gradual savings accumulated over time from her trading activities as a market woman since 2015.
“Findings showed that the money in her account had accumulated gradually over the years through proceeds from her business,” the statement noted.
The Command said the investigation did not establish any link between the woman and any child abduction case in the state.
SP Ukandu urged members of the public to desist from jungle justice and allow security agencies to conduct proper investigations in line with the law.
