Police To Rearraign Escaped Rapist In Edo

The Edo State Police Command on Sunday said a rapist identified as Jacob Alonge who was serving 21 years in jail for defiling and impregnating his own daughter but escaped during the #EndSARS protest in 2020 would be re-arraigned for escape from lawful custody

Alonge from Ososo in Akoko-Edo local government area of the state was in August 2019 sentenced to 21 years for raping and impregnating his 17 years old daughter, Gift Alonge, now late.

Gift who was five months pregnant then, and four others who were helping to prosecute the case died in a ghastly motor accident on January 16, 2019 when they were travelling to Benin for the judgment.

The victims included staff of BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI) which was helping in prosecuting the case.

Alonge relocated to his village after his escape and started living his normal life with alleged protection from the people in the area where he was staying.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye shortly before handing him over to the personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) said, “He (Alonge) is a very deadly and dangerous criminal, he was serving a 21 years jail term, he raped and impregnated his own daughter because he so much believed in some powers which he claims he has.

“While the trial was going on, he vowed that his daughter and all those who were going to give evidence against him in court will not see the light of the day, unfortunately, it happened that way. He is not somebody to toy with and we are sending him back to where he belongs.”

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of BHI, Priscilla Usiobaifo called on the NCS to take adequate steps to prevent another escape by Alonge, and to continue to prioritise the rearrest of several other inmates who escaped together with him during the 2020 jailbreak and who remained free from justice.

She said, “BHI appreciates and congratulates the Edo State Commissioner of Police, his gallant officers and the local intelligence team who stood on the side of justice by exposing and fostering the rearrested of Alonge.”

She recalled that the convict avoided rearrest for four years while in the protection of his community in Ososo.

“Ironically, the arrest would have been impossible without the tip-off and collaboration of concerned men and women in his community where Alonge has been enjoying protection, according to the briefing from the Nigeria Police.

“We at BHI remain committed to exposing and tackling all forms of gender-based violence in Edo State. We count on the continued support of the Edo State Government, Edo State Police Command, traditional and religious leaders, vigilante groups, youth associations, women groups, community networks and the media,” Usiobaifo said.