Three persons are currently in police custody in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 12-year-old by five men on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.
The crime happened in Igiafodo Awuyemi, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, revealed this during a visit from Mrs. Edesili Anani, Administrator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, to the State Police Headquarters.
Ozigi, who commended Anani for the visit, reassured that the rape victim will get justice.
She commended the police for responding promptly and appealed that the teenager get justice.
A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, disclosed that Anani visited the victim at the Diasy Ehainere Danjuma Centre.
During the visit, Anani vowed that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law, citing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
“The Edo State Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. Section 4 of the VAP Law defines rape, while Section 5 outlines the punishment. EDO State has zero tolerance for any form of violence, and we are standing firmly with the victim,” she stated.
Anani condemned the perpetrators, who reportedly filmed the act and circulated the video on social media, adding that the evidence strengthens the case against them.
“The video footage makes it impossible for anyone to cover up this crime. The law will take its course, and these individuals will be dealt with decisively,” she added.
She further commended the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Highness, Lukeman Akemokue, and his wife, Blessing, for their swift action in bringing the case to light and ensuring that both the victim and her mother were relocated to Benin City for safety and medical care due to threats against their lives.
“I want to commend your Highness. He did a fantastic job with his wife. It happened in his community, Okpella Kingdom; they didn’t hide it; immediately he saw the videos; he took it up, and I want to say when things like these happen, speak out, speak out for somebody else, because tomorrow it could be your child,” she advised.
On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Akemokue, thanked the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the office of the First Lady for a fantastic job for being proactive in response, noting that the Okpella community will continue to support the administration.
