The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that Mrs Chioma Nwewu, wife of a police inspector, was stripped and tied up by residents of Amachi Amagu Community, Abakaliki LGA, on March 20, 2026, over allegations of attempted child abduction.
The Command said no evidence was found linking her to any child kidnapping after weeks of investigation.
According to PPRO SP Joshua Ukandu, Mrs Nwewu was confronted by community members after she was “reportedly seen wandering aimlessly within the area.”
“The police officer’s wife was stripped and tied up by some members of the community while being questioned about her presence,” Ukandu said in a statement May 30.
Following a distress call, police operatives mobilized to the scene, rescued her from the irate crowd, and detained her at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki. Members of the community were invited to provide evidence, but none came forward while she was in custody.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed Mrs Nwewu experienced episodes of mental instability following a traumatic stillbirth, supported by a medical report she presented.
Her bank account was also scrutinized. “Findings showed that the money in her account had accumulated gradually over the years through proceeds from her trading business as a market woman from 2015 up to the time of the incident,” Ukandu stated.
“Furthermore, investigations did not establish any evidence linking her to any case of child abduction in the state.”
The Command urged the public to desist from jungle justice and allow police to carry out investigations according to legal procedures.
The incident adds to growing concerns over mob action based on child-theft suspicions across Nigerian communities.
[Source: NAN report rejigged]
