The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man over the alleged rape of an 11-year-old girl in Yala Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Sunday.
According to Eitokpah, the victim’s father reported the incident at the Okpoma Divisional Police Headquarters on October 24.
He said the incident allegedly occurred on October 18, when the suspect lured the girl to himself, sexually assaulted her and subsequently abandoned her at a location within the community.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the victim had been referred to a general hospital for medical examination, while the suspect remained in police custody.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ajo Ordue, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence were established.
Eitokpah reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society, urging residents to promptly report suspected cases of rape and other forms of abuse to the police.
He also cautioned members of the public against circulating information, photographs or other details capable of revealing the identity of the victim, warning that such actions could expose the child to further harm.
The police command urged the public to respect the victim’s privacy as investigations into the case continue.
