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Mr. Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, announced that the command had made 11 arrests in connection with various reported cases of rape and defilement within the last one week.
DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesman, released a statement on Monday in Awka, citing the CP’s deep concern about the growing moral decay in society.
Parents were strongly encouraged by the CP to be more attentive to the things their children encounter.
‘On July 11, an obscene video clip that went viral showed a young lady, aged 19, being gang raped by a group of boys. Investigation revealed that the incident happened at Orama-etiti, Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area.’
‘The police at Otuocha collaborated with the local vigilance group in the area to arrest six suspects involved in the criminal act.’
‘They are Chinua Obikezie, 17, Collins Ogbodo, 19, Ifeanyi Chijoke, 17, Abuchi Ikechukwu, 17, Ezenwa Afam, 18, and Sunday Okafor, 27.’
‘Three other suspects implicated in the ignoble act are still at large. During interrogation, all the six suspects confessed to have taken part in the crime,’ he stated.
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In a related development, Adeoye mentioned that on July 8, the Police, in partnership with a local vigilance group, arrested three suspects on charges of raping a 15-year-old girl while on patrol in Abagana.
He revealed that the individuals in custody were Chimezie Odugwu, aged 21, Nnamdi Anodebe, aged 19, and Jude Onua, aged 48, according to available information.
From the suspects’ accounts, it was disclosed that the victim was roaming around Abagana Junction when Chimezie convinced her to go to Nnamdi’s house in the same area, where they both had sexual intercourse with her.
‘She left the suspect’s house in tears and the elderly suspect, Jude, on the pretext of sheltering her brought her to his house and raped her before she was rescued by the police and vigilantes,’ he said.
In relation to the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl, the Commissioner of Police announced that Chinenye Ezemehege, aged 41, was apprehended by police operatives from Ekwulobia Division.
The Commissioner of Police stated that the suspect, who claimed to be a security guard at the market, made a confession, disclosing that he had been remunerating the girl with sums ranging from N500 to N1,000 for her ‘service.’
‘Preliminary information revealed that the parents of the girl normally send her to get firewood at the Ekwulobia Market before she fell prey to the suspect.’
‘Police operatives attached to Atani Division on July 13, also arrested one Odimako Ikenga, aged 38, from Ossomala village in Ogbaru LGA.’
‘The suspect has been on the Police Wanted List in an ongoing investigation of a case of defilement of a 12-year-old girl reported to the police on Aug. 28, 2022,’ he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Adeoye, lauded police operatives and vigilantes for their proactive approach and dedication to safeguarding society. He reiterated his firm determination to combat sexual crimes and gender-based violence in the state.
Residents were assured that sexual predators, especially those victimizing minors, will have nowhere to hide, as the police will actively pursue and apprehend them.
According to him, every suspect named in the investigation will be brought before the court for arraignment and legal proceedings.
