The Edo State Police Command has apprehended three persons for allegedly gang-raping a 12-year-old girl simply identified as Miss Esther in Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, disclosed this in Benin City when Mrs Edesili Anani, the Administrator, Office of Edo State First Lady, visited him at the Command, Headquarters.
Ozigi, who assured that the victim would get justice, said that the three suspects are currently in police custody, reports Daily Independent.
Earlier, Anani commended
the police for responding promptly and appealed that the little girl gets justice.
She said the minor was allegedly gang-rapped by five men on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, at Igiafodo Awuyemi, Okpella, Etsako East LGA.
The administrator, Office of Edo State First Lady, who also visited the victim at the Daisy Ehanire Danjuma Centre, vowed that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.
According to her, the Edo State Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“Edo State has zero tolerance for any form of violence, and we are standing firmly with the victim,” she stated.
She condemned the perpetrators for reportedly filming the act and circulating 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.
Anani 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 really 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 this happen speak out, speak out for somebody else, because tomorrow it could be your own child,” she advised.
On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Akemokue, commended the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and the office of the First Lady for being proactive.
Akemokue noted that the Okpella community will continue to support the administration.
