A middle-aged man, one Onuora Innoma has been arrested by the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly raping a 15-year old girl.
The victim, the state’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said is a student of Ado Girls’ Secondary School, Onitsha.
Tochukwu told newsmen in Awka on Thursday that the suspect has already confessed during interrogation that he committed the crime.
The PPRO who however stated that further investigation was still ongoing by the Command, added that the suspect would be arraigned in Court next week Wednesday.
“We invited the victim (raped girl) and carried out some tests on her to confirm the alleged defilement and the tests authenticated that she was defiled.
“We were able to arrest the suspect and during the interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” the police spokesman said.
He described rape as a crime against God and man, and that it is morally and legally wrong and the society frowns at it.
“It’s unfortunate this teenage girl has been exposed to this trauma in her early life. What led the suspect to committing this crime is left between him and God,” he said.
Tochukwu implored parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children and wards wherever they’re sent to prevent them from being vulnerable to predators.
“We seize this opportunity to reach out to parents and guardians to always watch out for their children and wards, when and where they send them to, so as not to expose them to any form of vulnerability.
“Going by the way the incident happened, the man took advantage of her to have a carnal knowledge while walking along a lonely road after she was sent on an errand,” he said.
The police PPRO commended the Ministry of Education for its proactiveness in reaching out to the police immediately the incident happened.
He noted that that police is also partnering the with Ministry of Women Affairs and that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has “graciously approved a special court for this kind of gender related case.”
Already the state Commissioner of Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, told newsmen that Governor Soludo has frowned at the nefarious act raping innocent ladies.
She added that the governor has vowed that the perpetrator would prosecuted and if proven guilty, would face the consequences of his action according to the law to serve as deterrent to others who might join in his ignoble action.
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