The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 46-year-old man, Abi Baragon, for allegedly assaulting and injuring a woman who turned down his marriage proposal in Port Harcourt.
Baragon, a father of four, was apprehended in the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo area of Mile 3, Port Harcourt.
His arrest followed a viral social media video showing the victim crying for help after being attacked by the suspect, who reportedly fled immediately after the incident.
Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.
She explained that officers from the Human Rights Department at the State Headquarters tracked down the suspect using intelligence-led policing and technical surveillance.
“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 stated.
She revealed that Baragon was arrested on October 13, 2025, and initially denied the accusations but later confessed to attacking the victim.
“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 the police, the victim was taken to the hospital for medical care, while investigations continue to uncover the full details surrounding the assault.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju commended the officers for their swift response and thanked members of the public for providing crucial information that led to the arrest.
Adepoju reaffirmed the command’s commitment to justice and warned that criminal offenders would not escape 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 stated.
