Nigerian writer Charles Ogbu has called on the government to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children following the circulation of a disturbing video allegedly showing a woman assaulting a young girl in Umuahia, Abia State.
Ogbu made the call in a Facebook post on Monday, July 6, 2026, while reacting to the viral footage, which reportedly captured the woman physically attacking the child and allegedly attempting to cut her throat with a knife.
The incident is said to have occurred at IBB Estate in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
In the video, the young girl, who is alleged to be a domestic worker, is seen crying, pleading for mercy, and desperately shielding her neck as the woman allegedly threatened her with a knife.
Condemning the incident, Ogbu urged authorities to impose tougher penalties on individuals found guilty of abusing children.
> “I have said it again and again, our society needs to declare a state of emergency on child abuse and violence against children. And offenders deserve nothing but the harshest punishment possible. This is a blight on human civilization. Happened today at IBB Estate, Umuahia,” he wrote.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for an immediate investigation and justice for the child. Authorities in Abia State are yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
