Reports suggest that a 13-year-old girl (identity protected) was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by an individual known as Prince in Ogbogoro community within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sources indicate that the man kept the girl captive for a period of two days after seizing her in a secluded location, eventually taking her to his residence on Monday evening.
The mother of the victim, referred to as Ify, narrated that she had dispatched her daughter on an errand when the incident unfolded.
Expressing her distress, the mother stated, “I sent my 13-year-old daughter to buy charcoal and leaves for me on Monday at 5 pm. However, by 8 pm, she had not returned. This caused me great concern.”
“We initiated a search for her. I visited the charcoal and leaf vendors, only to learn that they had not seen my daughter.
“Our quest continued, scouring the streets until Wednesday morning past midnight, when we spotted our daughter dashing towards us. Upon inquiry, she divulged that a man had been chasing her.
“Following her directions, we located the residence of the man identified as Prince in the White House vicinity of Ogbogoro.”
“Encountering the man’s sibling, we discovered that he had harbored and detained our daughter for two days during her errand.”
“After inspecting my daughter as any concerned mother would, it became evident that she had been violated. I implore the government and law enforcement to apprehend this man and hold him accountable for his despicable actions.”
Meanwhile, the Center for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign disclosed that the teenage girl’s parents reached out to them three days post-incident, having already reported the matter to the Ozuoba Police Division.
The National Coordinator of the organization, Prince Wiro, emphasized, “The authorities must promptly arrest the suspect to face justice for the alleged offense.
“We are deeply troubled about the safety of young girls in Ogbogoro, as this incident appears to be recurring. A similar case occurred on February 15, 2024, in the same area, where a 42-year-old man and two accomplices abducted a 12-year-old girl, subjecting her to assault in an unfinished structure for days.
“Law enforcement must take decisive steps to prevent such incidents from becoming routine in that community.”
State Police Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, was reached for comment but indicated she would revert with information.
As of the time of reporting on Wednesday, no update has been provided by Iringe-Koko.