The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 46-year-old man, Abi Baragon, for allegedly assaulting and inflicting injuries on a woman who rejected his marriage proposal in Port Harcourt.
Baragon, a father of four, was apprehended at the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo area of Mile 3, following the circulation of a viral video showing the victim crying for help after the attack. The suspect reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident.
The spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.
She stated that operatives from the Human Rights Department at the State Headquarters arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing and technical tracking.
“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,” Iringe-Koko explained.
She added that Baragon was arrested on October 13, 2025, and though he initially denied the allegation, he later confessed to the assault.
“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed that he used bottles and stabbed the victim. It was alleged that his motive stemmed from the victim’s rejection of his marriage overtures after she discovered that he was already married with four children,” the statement added.
According to Iringe-Koko, the victim has been hospitalised and is receiving medical treatment, while investigations continue to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the officers for their swift response and appreciated members of the public for providing useful information that led to the suspect’s arrest.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring justice and warned criminals against evading the law.
“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 CP added.
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