Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, together with security guards of the Anambra Vigilante Group, have arrested three out of four suspects who gang-raped a 13-year-old girl in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State.
The suspects, identified as Sunday, Emelie and Chiedu, co-tenants of the victim’s father, were handed over to Police in the state capital, Awka.
The fourth suspect, identified as Noe or?, is currently on the run.
It was found that NAPTIP, along with the vigilante group, arrested the suspects following a complaint from the victim.
The victim was brought to the office of the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify. Obinabo burst into tears as she recounted her ordeal.
The victim, who hails from Ohaozara in Ebonyi State explained that she was raped by four boys but Nwa aw? he escaped when security officers raided the neighborhood.
According to the victim, the suspects took her to the Nkisi River and raped her after a quarrel with her father.
She added that she was slapped by the boys for the first time before they dragged her into the river. She said the suspects ordered her to remove her clothes and then took turns identifying her.
Reacting after listening to the victim, the commissioner commended her courage to speak and assured her that he will ensure that she gets justice.
The commissioner expressed her displeasure over the rising rate of rape cases in the state and warned that the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-led administration would not condone them.
Hon. Obinabo also commended the officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Nigeria Police Force and the Anambra Vigilance Group for their efforts in ensuring that these suspects are caught.
During interrogation, two of the suspects admitted the crime and asked for forgiveness, while the third claimed he was only present when the incident occurred but was not involved.
However, the victim insisted that he was the second person who had carnal knowledge with her. The accused further admitted that they raped the girl due to disagreements with her father.
