The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 46-year-old man, Abi Baragon, for allegedly assaulting a woman in Port Harcourt, following a viral video that sparked outrage on social media.
According to the Command, the incident which was captured in a video recorded on June 20, 2025 showed a distressed lady crying for help after being viciously attacked by the suspect, who reportedly fled the scene. The case, which drew widespread public attention, prompted an immediate response from the Police.
Operatives from the Human Rights Department of the Command Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, launched an intelligence-led investigation, combining technical surveillance and field operations that led to the suspect’s arrest on October 13, 2025.
Preliminary findings revealed that the attack was allegedly motivated by the victim’s rejection of the suspect’s marriage proposal after discovering that he was already married with four children, an allegation the suspect has denied.
During interrogation, Baragon reportedly confessed to stabbing the victim with bottles during the assault. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment, while the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, commended the operatives for their swift action and the public for providing credible information that aided the arrest. He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to ensure justice for victims of gender-based and violent crimes.
CP Adepoju warned that there would be no hiding place for offenders, emphasizing that anyone who commits a crime would inevitably face the full weight of the law. The suspect, he said, will be charged to court upon conclusion of the discreet investigation.