A pastor in a church (name withheld) in Ntak Inyang, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom is languishing in police net for defiling an eight-year-old girl sent by her guardian to deliver a tin of peak milk to him.
A press release issued by Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, CSP N-nudam Fredrick on Tuesday, said “On 11/6/2020 at about 12:00 noon, following Intelligence, operatives of Etim Ekpo Area Command arrested one Victor Victor David” suspected to have committed the crime.
N-nudam said the policemen also arrested a 60-year-old Etteidung Okon Uyoe, the village head of Ikot Inyang, Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old girl.
According to him, the village head was said to have “bought Akara (beans cake) from the victim after he lured her into his room on the pretence of giving her the money there.
“On reaching the room, the suspect grabbed the victim, and forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.”
Fredrick said operatives of Ibesikpo Asutan Division had arrested Uyoe said to have the crime on June 13, 2020, at about 1:12 p.m.
The police spokesperson stated that “On 1/4/2020, at about 2:00 a.m, following a distress call, SARS operatives swung into action and arrested one Peter Emmanuel Ekanem ‘m’ on the basis of an outcry by a victim of a case of rape which prompted a good-spirited individual to place a distress call to the police.”
He said “Investigation revealed that the suspect conspired with other suspects now at large and forcefully took the lady at gunpoint to a primary school field in Ikot Akpa Ekpuk village, Ikono LGA where she was raped. The suspect confessed to the crime. A locally-made pistol was recovered from the suspect. An investigation is in progress.”
Fredrick also said “On 28/5/2020 at about 9:00 a.m, based on reliable intelligence, detectives of Ibesikpo Asutan Division arrested one Henry Okon Henry ‘m’, aged 30 years of Mbokpu Eyokan, Urue Offong-Oruko L.G.A, but residing in Ikot Ambon, Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A.
“Investigation revealed that suspect forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of his 17-year-old niece, and also threatened to kill the victim if she attempts to escape or raise alarm.”
He further stated that “Following a complaint on 13/6/2020 at about 5:20 p.m, operatives of ‘C’ Division arrested one Solomon Emmanuel Okon ‘m’ and Becky Umoretuk ‘f’.
“Suspects conspired and lured a 26-year-old lady to their house and unlawfully assaulted her with fist blow and machete. In the process, Solomon Emmanuel Okon ‘m’ forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim.
“All suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigations,” he added.
The Police Command, therefore, reassures the people of the State that the fight against gender-based violence and other crimes would be heightened to ensure that perpetrators do not have a safe haven or escape justice in the State.