By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Nigeria Police has arrested one Obogo Adinya, a 60-year-old man from Atylum, Adachi, Bekwarra LGA, Cross River State, for allegedly raping a 5-year-old girl.
Converseer reports that the matter was brought into the limelight on Sunday after Traditional Rulers from Bekwarra demanded three goats from the suspect as atonement for his alleged crime.
According to a source, Achoda Faith Ajor, the victim (name withheld), cried to her mother that the suspect always uncomfortably touched her whenever she was not around.
“She (victim’s mother) said her daughter was crying on the day of the incident. She also mentioned that the man, who is their neighbour, kept calling the little girl to come to him. The child refused and later told her mother that Uncle Obogo usually touched her in a way that made her uncomfortable.
“At first, the mother did not believe her daughter. She called the child again to repeat what she had said. The little girl then narrated the same story, explaining that the man had been doing this whenever no one was around,” Achoda stated.
Barr. James Ibor, Principal Counsel of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), had earlier told our reporter that “We are on it.”
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In a statement on Thursday, the organisation said the suspect is under police investigation.
“The Police are investigating, and the child is receiving medical care. This case throws up lots of concerns about the safety of girls in our communities. There is an urgent need for comprehensive GBV training for communities, leaders, and authorities. We demand accountability, and the end to the culture of silence,” BRCI posted on Facebook.
When contacted on the phone on Friday, SP Irene Ugbo-Obase, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, did not take or return her call, nor did she reply to her SMS or WhatsApp chat, 11 hours before filing this report.
