The police in Benue have arrested a suspected rapist, who allegedly had carnal knowledge of a seven-year-old child inside a church hall.
This incident occurred over a week after Uwavera Omozuwa, a 100-level Microbiology student of the University of Benin, Uwavera Omozuwa, was allegedly raped and killed by unknown persons at the Ikpoba Hill branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Benin, where she had gone to read.
Parading the suspect in Makurdi, Benue Commissioner of Police, Mr Mukaddas Garba, said that the case was reported on Tuesday.
He said, “On June 9, a case of rape was reported at Orokam Police Division that one of the suspects dragged a seven-year-old child into a church hall in Ogwurute area of Orokam and had carnal knowledge of her.
“The victim is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Ijadoga, while the suspect, allegedly confessed to the crime.”
The police commissioner also presented three other suspected rapists and 32 others said to be involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and mischief in the state.
He said that on June 5, a report was received at the B Division Police Station, Makurdi that a man (name withheld), lured a six-year-old child to his house and defiled her.
Garba said that the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime during investigation and would soon be arraigned in court.
He added, “Also June 9, a man (name withheld), who lives in Mechanic Village area of Kanshio, Makurdi, forcefully took a 14-year-old girl to an uncompleted building and allegedly raped her.
“The suspect has also confessed to the crime and will be charged to court soon.”
Garba also said that on the same date (June 9), a complaint was received at A Division Police Station that a landlord trespassed into his tenant’s house and forcefully raped a 15-year-old girl, who was asleep.
He said, “The man, who raped the 15-year-old, told newsmen that the girl, who was a virgin, had been his girlfriend in the last two months.
“The suspect said that he allegedly raped her after several efforts to convince her to go to bed with him failed.