The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred on September 6 at Mini Orlu, off Ada-George Road, where the victim, who was on holiday with her aunt, was attacked while returning from an errand.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said George, a native of Akwa Ibom but resident in Port Harcourt, lured the child into a stationary tricycle before assaulting her.
She said, “The suspect dragged the victim into a stationary tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, tied her hands, covered her mouth to prevent her from raising an alarm, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her before fleeing the scene.”
Iringe-Koko explained that operatives attached to the CP Strike Force mobilised swiftly after receiving a distress call and took the girl to the Police Hospital for medical examination.
“At about 2200hrs the same day, the suspect was apprehended through coordinated intelligence,” she said.
The police spokesperson disclosed that exhibits recovered from the scene included a bundle of rope allegedly used to tie the victim’s hands, a wrap of fufu suspected to have been purchased by the victim before she fell into the ordeal, and the blue tricycle.
“The suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime during interrogation.
“He is currently in custody alongside the exhibits while a discreet investigation continues,” Iringe-Koko added.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of crime in the state face the full wrath of the law.
He further urged parents and guardians to watch over their children and wards closely, as such predators are within our neighbourhood.
