Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
A middle-aged man, Onuora Innoma, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Police Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, Thursday, noting that the suspect has admitted to the crime during interrogation.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through Commissioner of Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, had ordered immediate remand of the suspect, after his detention at the Inland Town Police Division, Onitsha.
The governor frowned at the nefarious act of preying on innocent ladies, vowing to take every available legal means to bring the perpetrator to book, hoping it would serve as deterrent to others.
He enjoined people of the State to speak up in the face of such despicable acts.
But addressing journalists on Thursday, Ikenga said investigation on the matter was still ongoing, adding that the suspect would be arraigned next week Wednesday.
He said, “It’s a case of rape and the first respondent is the Inland Town Police station before it was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.
“We invited the victim and carried out some tests on her to confirm the alleged defilement and the tests authenticated she was defiled.
“We were able to arrest the suspect and brought him to book. During the interrogation, he confessed to the crime.
“One thing about rape is that it is a crime against both God and man. It’s 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.
“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.
“We thank the Ministry of Education for its proactiveness in reaching out to us immediately the incident happened.
“We’re also in partnership with Ministry of Women Affairs. The governor has graciously approved a special court for this kind of gender related case.”
