The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended a 46-year-old man, Mr. Abi Baragon, for allegedly assaulting and inflicting grievous bodily harm on a lady who reportedly declined his marriage proposal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect, a father of four, was arrested at the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo axis of Mile 3, Port Harcourt, following a viral social media video in which the victim cried out after being violently attacked. The assailant was said to have fled the scene immediately after the assault.
Iringe-Koko disclosed that the suspect was tracked and apprehended by operatives of the Human Rights Department at the State Police Headquarters through intelligence-led policing and technical surveillance.
She stated:
“There was a viral video on social media, captured on June 20, 2025, where a lady cried out over an incident depicting that a man allegedly assaulted her and fled. The matter has been under intense investigation by operatives of the command.”
The police spokesperson confirmed that Baragon was arrested on October 13, 2025, and initially denied the allegations before later voluntarily confessing to the assault.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he used bottles and stabbed the victim. It was further alleged that his motive stemmed from the victim’s rejection of his marriage advances after discovering that he was already married with four children,” the statement added.
The victim, according to the police, has since been taken to the hospital for medical treatment, while investigations continue to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the assault.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the swift efforts of the operatives involved and applauded members of the public for providing actionable intelligence that facilitated the suspect’s arrest.
Adepoju reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to upholding justice and maintaining public safety, warning that no offender will evade lawful prosecution.
“If anyone commits a crime and runs away, the police will catch up with you. The suspect will face prosecution upon conclusion of a discreet investigation,” the Commissioner stated.#newsafro_
