The Ebonyi State Police Command has dismissed allegations circulating online that the wife of a police officer attempted to kidnap children in Izzi area of the state, saying investigations found no evidence linking her to child abduction.
The Command, in a press statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the incident involving Mrs. Mercy Chioma Nwewu occurred on March 20, 2026, at Amachi Amagu Community in Abakaliki Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the woman, who is the wife of an Inspector of Police, was confronted by some members of the community after she was allegedly seen wandering within the area.
“The woman was stripped and tied up by some members of the community while being questioned about her presence in the area,” the statement noted.
Police said operatives swiftly moved to the scene after receiving a distress call from a concerned resident who feared the woman could be lynched by an angry mob.
She was subsequently rescued and taken into custody at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, while investigations commenced into the allegation.
The Command disclosed that community members were invited to provide statements or evidence to back up the claims against the woman, but none of the accusers came forward.
It further stated that police operatives visited the community several times during the course of investigation, yet no useful information linking her to child kidnapping was obtained.
The Police also revealed that preliminary investigation showed that Mrs. Nwewu suffers episodes of mental instability following a traumatic stillbirth experience, a condition reportedly supported by a medical report she presented.
According to the statement, investigators equally scrutinised her bank account transactions for suspicious activities but discovered that the funds in her account were proceeds from her trading business accumulated over the years.
“Investigations did not establish any evidence linking her to any case of child abduction in the State,” the Command said.
The Police therefore urged members of the public to refrain from jungle justice and allow security agencies to carry out investigations in accordance with the law.
