Akwa Ibom Youths Track Fleeing Rape Suspect

At last, nemesis has caught up with one Christopher Linus Augustine, 28, from Ikot Abia community in the Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State, who is alleged to have abducted a 14-year-old minor on her way from school, took her to an uncompleted building and sexually assaulted her.

The victim, LEADERSHIP gathered, is a Junior Secondary School (JSS2) schoolgirl in Ikot Ataku in Eket LGA, while the suspect hails from the neighbouring Ikot Abia village.

The victim, though having speech impairment, it was learnt, was able to describe him as being “fair in complexion and having a tattoo mark on his hand and shoulder,” which gave him away to the local vigilantes who combed the vicinity in search of him.

“Acting on intelligence, the youth president of Ikot Abia, Comrade Ubong Ekpo, in collaboration with the village head, Chief Monday Essiet and other youth leaders, tracked the suspects and handed him over to the police,” Bassey Effiong, a resident, told our correspondent.

He recalled that the suspect had, on Friday, 10th October, 2025, under the heavy rain, armed with a machete, dragged the victim (name withheld), who was returning from school, to an uncompleted building and raped her.

“The girl cried out, but her voice couldn’t be heard by neighbours because of the heavy rain that particular day,” he explained.

According to family sources, “the incident was reported to the village head of Ikot Abia, who directed that the case be reported to the police for immediate action. After the entry was entered at the police station, the girl was referred to Immanuel Hospital, Eket, for emergency treatment.”

Another resident, Inemesit Silas, said, “Help, however, came for her from a government official after being briefed about the incident by a concerned citizen through a voice note, requesting assistance for the victim, who is an orphan.

“The personal assistant (PA) to the Governor on New Media, Ubong Creativity David, who visited the girl at the hospital, made a financial commitment for prompt medical treatment to be administered to her,” she added.