By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The war against rape, especially minors in Akwa Ibom by the Police has continued unabated with the apprehension of six male suspects across the state for forcefully having carnal knowledge of underaged girls.
A police statememt from the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Fredrick Nnudam made available to newsmen weekend revealed that the six suspects were apprehended in Mbo,Ikot Abasi, Abak,Essien Udim, Ikot Ekpenehas and Eket Local Government Areas.
The victims who were between five and 13 years were in most cases lured with money as little as N200.
One of the suspects one Edet Godwin Edet, aged 27yrs of Ikangta Ibaka, Mbo L.G.A forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of his 12 year old church member.
“Edet lured her under the pretense of employing her as a sale girl in his provisions shop, and thereafter he took advantage of the victim and raped her. In his bid to send the girl away, he accused her of stealing five hundred naira (N500.00), and in the process gave her a machete cut on her head. During investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime.” The statement said.
Others apprehended include Inyang Ufot Umoh of Ikwa, Ikot Abasi L.G.A who forcefully had unlawful carnal of an eight year old girl while officers of Family Support Unit apprehended one Victor Felix Ukpong in Abak L.G.A who raped a five year old girl in his bedroom.
” Investigation shows that the mother of the victim took her to her pastor’s house for custody while she went to market, but the pastor’s son took advantage of the victim and raped her.” It said.
Also, one Effiong Peter Akpan of Adiasim Ikot Ekon village, Essien Udim L.G.A was arrested for conspiring with one other suspect, now at large to gang-rape a 12 year old girl in a bush, while one Etimbuk Moses Isong of Nto Nsek, Ikot Ekpene L.G.A was also nabbed for luring a 13 year old girl with N500 to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her in his provisions shop.
The statement reiterated the Command’s commitment to the protection of victims of rape against any form of threats, and enjoined them not to be dissuaded by stigmatization in reporting cases of rape and other gender-based violence.
It also commended the judiciary for speedy trial of accused persons involved in sexually related cases, noting that there would be no safe haven for sexual offenders in the State.
