Police arrest three over ‘rape of minors’ in Anambra

The Anambra police command says its operatives have arrested three suspects in separate cases of alleged rape involving minors.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson, said the suspects were apprehended following reports transferred to the state criminal investigation department (CID) for discreet investigation.

Ikenga said on August 13, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested Uchenna Nweke, 18, in Ebenebe community, Awka north LGA, after responding to a distress call.

“Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu responded to a distress call at Ebenebe Community over a case of defilement of an 11-year-old girl and arrested one Uchenna Nweke ‘M’, aged 18 years,” the statement reads in part.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect allegedly forced his way into the bathroom where the victim was bathing and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.”

He added that medical evidence has confirmed the suspect’s culpability and that he will be charged on August 20.

The police spokesperson said another suspect, identified as Emmanuel Sampson of Odoakpu, Onitsha, allegedly lured his neighbour’s eight-year-old daughter with food before defiling her.

Similarly, operatives arrested ThankGod Damian, a security guard, who allegedly lured a 13-year-old girl into an uncompleted building in an estate and assaulted her.

Ikenga said both suspects have been transferred to the gender unit of the CID and will also face charges in court.

Ikioye Orutugu, Anambra commissioner of police, said the command is committed to protecting children and other vulnerable groups, adding that offenders “will face the full weight of the law”.