How man allegedly lured, raped 8-year-old girl

The police in Anambra State, Nigeria’s South-east, say they have arrested two suspects over alleged rape of two girls in separate incidents in the state.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

How the incidents happened

In one of the cases, Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said, a suspect named Emmanuel Sampson allegedly lured the eight-year-old daughter of his neighbour under the pretext of giving her food, and then raped her.

The spokesperson said the case was initially reported at the Central Police Station in Onitsha on 8 August 2025 before being transferred to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

In the second case, Mr Ikenga said another suspect, ThankGod Damian, a security man at an estate, allegedly lured a 13-year-old girl into an uncompleted building and raped her.

He said the second case was initially reported at 3-3 Divisional Police Headquarters, but was subsequently transferred to the Gender Unit of the SCID on 14 August 2025.

“Police operatives have secured medical evidence to prove the suspects’ culpability and will charge the case to Court on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 (today),” the spokesperson said.

He assured that the police in Anambra State remain committed to ensuring justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

“However, parents and guardians are further advised to remain vigilant and to promptly report all suspected cases to the nearest police formation for immediate action,” Mr Ikenga said.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Nigeria, in 2015, enacted the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which outlawed all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape, female circumcision and forceful ejection.

Offenders, on conviction, face life imprisonment or maximum of 14-year jail term, depending on the age of the offender and type of violence committed.