The Akwa Ibom state police has apprehended a village head and a Pastor for reportedly sexually assaulting underage girls. Okon Uyoe, the 60-year-old village head of Ikot Inyang, Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, purportedly assaulted an 11-year-old girl whom he had bought akara (beans cake) from. He allegedly lured her into his room on the pretext of giving her the money there. The Akwa Ibom Police Spokesperson, N-nudam Fredrick, stated that the incident occurred around 1:12 p.m. on June 13.
Meanwhile, Pastor Victor David was also taken into custody for purportedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl who had been sent by her guardian to deliver a tin of peak milk to him. Fredrick revealed that investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be prosecuted in due course.
Following a distress call, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Operatives arrested Peter Emmanuel Ekanem, based on an outcry by a victim of rape. The investigation revealed that the suspect, together with others who are currently at large, forcibly took the lady at gunpoint to a primary school field in Ikot Akpa Ekpuk village, Ikono LGA, where she was raped. A locally-made pistol was recovered from the suspect, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Additionally, Henry Okon Henry was apprehended for allegedly sexually assaulting his 17-year-old niece and threatening to kill her if she attempted to escape or raise an alarm. Solomon Emmanuel Okon and Becky Umoretuk were also arrested for conspiring to lure a 26-year-old lady to their house and unlawfully assaulting her with a fist blow and a machete, during which Solomon Emmanuel Okon forcefully sexually assaulted the victim.
The suspects will be arraigned in court after the completion of the investigation process.