Abia State State Police Command has nabbed a man identified as Stephen Njoku for allegedly defiling an 8-year-old child in Ebem Ohafia, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
Njoku, who is about 50 years of age, was nabbed by the Ebem community youths and taken to the Police before being moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Umuahia, for a thorough investigation.
The victim of the defilement was also taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
The incident sparked a wild protest by about 200 women of Ebem, who went round the community demanding justice for the defiled child.
The women, who were running around the community with fresh leaves, performed a traditional outing known as Ikpa Mbogo against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, EODU, has strongly condemned the alleged sexual abuse of a minor within the community, describing the reported incident as disturbing, unacceptable, and contrary to the cherished values, traditions, and moral standards of the Ebem Ohafia people.
The union, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ifeanyi Okali, stated unequivocally that Ebem Ohafia has zero tolerance for any form of abuse, exploitation, or violation of the rights and dignity of children and other vulnerable persons.
The EODU appealed to concerned members of the community, especially the aggrieved women, to remain calm as the matter is currently under investigation by the relevant law enforcement authorities, who are empowered by law to handle such cases and ensure that justice is served.
Confirming the incident to DAILY POST on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the scene of the incident was visited by the Police, adding that the suspect was apprehended.
DSP Chinaka assured the public that suspect would be charged to court when the ongoing investigation at State Criminal Investigation Department, is concluded.
