Police have detained male nurse Austin Etim, who works at the General Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl within the hospital’s male ward.
According to hospital management reports and the ministry of health intervention, the suspect who was arrested on Monday, November 14, 2022, afternoon, allegedly committed the stated crime during the weekend.
The 14-year-old (name withheld) was allegedly taking care of her ailing father at the hospital’s male ward while the mother ran about looking for other things on Saturday when she was allegedly s3.xually attacked by the male nurse.
Multiple trustworthy hospital sources who are familiar with the incident claim that the nurse tied the woman up with a scarf before abusing her.
According to a nurse who requested anonymity, the incident occurred on Saturday, November 12, 2022, while the adolescent was caring for her unconscious father who was ill and the mother was going around obtaining drugs and other goods.
The source said; “The girl said he (suspect) hit her twice before penetrating while tying her hands with a scarf, as she lost strength while shouting but the suspect overpowered her and had his way.
“The next morning which was Sunday, November 13, 2022, the girl who was crying reported the matter to another nurse on duty as well as her mum who collapsed when she heard the incident.
“The furious mother immediately called their pastor who promised to come to the hospital after church service but suddenly, the mother of the teenager changed her mind and said she doesn’t want the matter prosecuted any longer”.
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According to reports, after questioning the accused multiple times and hearing their denials of involvement in the incident, hospital management summoned the police, who then apprehended the suspect.
When contacted, Dr Iwara Iwara, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, stated that the suspect has been placed on administrative leave going forward and that the hospital has been given 48 hours to examine the teen and produce a medical report for further investigation.
He said; “There has to be a medical examination before we can ascertain the claims of the teenager. We have ordered for a medical examination and report to be carried out immediately.
“We have also suspended the suspected nurse, while we await the medical report before any other thing can be done on the matter but he has been arrested”.
Joe Idiege, the secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwife Association (NANNM) in the state of Cross River, claimed that the association had not been formally notified of the situation.
Idiege, on the other hand, denounced the act, calling it unsatisfactory and regrettable.
When contacted, Cross River State’s police spokeswoman, SP Irene Ugbo, said she couldn’t confirm the suspect’s arrest right away but would look into it and get back to the reporter.
The incident was a topic of conversation when the reporter visited the hospital on Monday evening. Some doctors were overheard calling nurses rapists and saying they shouldn’t be trusted with female patients in the hospital any longer.
James Ibor, Esq., the principal attorney for the Basic Rights Council Initiative (BRCI), praised the hospital and Dr Iwara Iwara, the permanent secretary of the state ministry of health, for their prompt action and the subsequent arrest of the suspect.
Ibor stated that BRCI will support the adolescent while ensuring that justice is done since they will not allow the situation to be ignored under any circumstances.
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