Anambra mother arrested after 7-year-old daughter was allegedly burnt with hot knife for taking meat from a pot

• Oluebube Ofoma, 7, was rescued after allegedly suffering severe physical abuse in Anambra.

• Her mother, Ogechi Ofoma, 32, was arrested and is being held at Awada Police Station.

• Police and social welfare officials are arranging medical care and protection for the child.

A 32-year-old woman has been arrested in Anambra State after her seven-year-old daughter was allegedly injured with a hot knife following an accusation that she took meat from a cooking pot.

The girl, Oluebube Ofoma, was rescued after residents and community security personnel intervened in the Ibollo community, Awada-Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Her mother, Ogechi Ofoma, was arrested on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and is being detained at the Awada Police Station while the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse are investigated.

PUNCH reported that Oluebube was allegedly attacked after she was accused of taking meat from a pot. The Anambra State Police Command said preliminary information pointed to severe physical abuse and injuries reportedly inflicted with a hot knife.

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The police said the case came to their attention on the evening of September 13 after people in the Ibollo community stepped in and rescued the child.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday.

Ikenga said the command had received a report concerning “alleged child abuse and severe bodily injuries” involving the seven-year-old. He said the police had condemned the alleged abuse and would pursue the case against anyone found responsible. 

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Police said the community security personnel and residents were instrumental in the rescue and subsequent arrest.

Following the incident, CP Nnanna Ama, Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, initiated arrangements with the state’s social welfare authorities to address Oluebube’s medical and protection needs.

The police said the child would receive urgent medical attention and other welfare support while the investigation continues.

The Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare is also involved in the response. Reports identified Esther Onyekesi, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, as condemning the alleged treatment of the child and warning that violations of children's rights would attract legal consequences.

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The case has renewed attention on the need for adults and communities to report suspected child abuse rather than allow violence against children to continue behind closed doors.

For now, the allegations against Ogechi Ofoma remain under investigation. Her arrest does not amount to a finding of guilt, and no court has convicted her of the alleged offence. No public response from Ofoma or a lawyer representing her was available in the reports reviewed as of September 15, 2026.

The police have not disclosed further details about the child's medical condition or the specific injuries sustained beyond describing them as severe.