Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested two suspects for allegedly kidnapping and raping two underage girls.
One of the suspects, Edidiong Ufe also known as ‘Isong Akpa’, an indigene of Idu Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area of the state, was alleged to have kidnapped a 12-year-old girl from Ifiayong Usuk, a neighbouring community.
It was learnt that Ufe, who has confessed to the crime, repeatedly raped his victim, who is currently four months pregnant from the act.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, told newsmen on Tuesday that the incident happened in November 2020.
He said the suspect would be charged to court after investigations have been concluded.
Macdon also said one Iboro Ayama, a resident of Ini local government area, was arrested for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl.
He said 48-year-old Ayama accosted his victim while she was running an errand for her grandmother, dragged her to a nearby bush and raped her.
“Based on a complaint of abduction on 11th May 2021 at about 1:25 pm, Operatives of Uruan Division swung into action and arrested one Edidiong Etm Ufe a.k.a “Isong Akpa” of Idu Uruan in Uruan Local Government, Area, who allegedly abducted a 12-year-old girl of Ifiayong Usuk, Uruan Local Government Area sometimes in November 2020, and consecutively had unlawful carnal knowledge of her which resulted to four (4) months pregnancy. The suspect has confessed to the crime.
“Similarly, following a tip-off on 11/6/2021 at about 1720hrs, Operatives of Ini Division apprehended one Iboro Ime Ayama ‘m’ of Ikot Offrong, but residing at Ikot Etok Eren, Ini L.G.A who forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl, who hails from Edem Idim Ibakesi of the same L.G.A.
“Investigation reveals that the victim was sent to buy foodstuffs at Affiong Aran market by her grandmother but was accosted by the suspect on her way home, dragged into a nearby bush and unlawfully defiled her,” he stated.
He warned perpetrators of gender-based violence to desist from the act saying the law would surely catch up with them.
