Edo State Police Command have taken into custody five women for allegedly stripping Christabel Akhigbe naked in Benin City on suspicion of phone theft.
According to reports from NewsNow, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, shared this information with the press in Benin City, stating that the women also filmed the victim unclothed and shared the video on various social media platforms.
Adeboye explained that the suspects accused Christabel of stealing an Android phone belonging to Blessing Lucky. After Christabel returned the phone to the rightful owner, the group of women lured her into a room, physically attacked and undressed her, even threatening to harm her private parts with pepper. They recorded the incident and circulated it on social media.
Upon receiving the report, the police promptly arrested the suspects, who later admitted to the crime.
Listed as Blessing Lucky (aged 15), Jennifer Eboigbe (aged 30), Iziegbe Ogbodu (aged 39), Naomi Ekhonetomwan (aged 17), and Lucky Endurance (aged 16), the suspects were taken into custody on charges of indecent assault and cyberstalking, as disclosed by the Commissioner of Police.
While cautioning against vigilante justice, the police commissioner pointed out the irony that the accused have now turned into suspects. He reassured that the police force would collaborate with human rights groups to ensure the culprits face legal consequences.
The suspects are expected to face trial in court soon, confirmed the Commissioner.
During an interview, one of the suspects, Jenifer Eboigbe, expressed remorse for their actions towards the victim.
“When my daughter, Blessing, informed me that her phone was stolen and we retrieved it from Christabel after some days, the girl pleaded with us not to harm her. Despite her requests, they proceeded to strip her naked. As a mother, I am deeply ashamed of our conduct,” she admitted.