The police in Cross River State have arrested two men, aged 68 and 70, over the alleged attempted rape of a 12-year-old girl in Calabar.
The suspects, identified as Moris Monday, 68, and Asuquo Effiom, 70, were arrested on Sunday following a complaint by the girl’s father, said Sunday Eitokpah, the police spokesman in the state.
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The incident allegedly occurred in the Thomas Henshaw area of Calabar.
In a statement, Mr Eitokpah said the girl alleged that Mr Monday, a shoe repairer, lured her into his room on two occasions and attempted to rape her.
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The alleged incidents involving Mr Monday reportedly occurred on 13 and 14 August, Mr Eitokpah, an assistant superintendent of police, said.
The girl further alleged that Mr Effiom similarly lured her into his room on 22 August and attempted to rape her.
Suspects deny allegations
The police said operatives went to the Hokins Road area by Thomas Henshaw Junction after receiving the complaint and found the two suspects in the custody of community members.
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“They were subsequently taken into police custody,” Mr Eitokpah said.
The police said both suspects have made statements to investigators and denied the allegations.
Mr Eitokpah said that the girl has been referred to a medical facility for examination, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Recent convictions
The arrests come amid a series of recent convictions for sexual offences involving children in Cross River State.
In June, a Family Court in Calabar sentenced 41-year-old Endurance Sandy to life imprisonment for raping an 11-year-old girl. The case, which began in 2021, involved a man who lived in the same neighbourhood as the child.
That conviction followed the May sentencing of 27-year-old Edidiong Nyojole to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl in Uwanse, Calabar. The court also ordered him to pay N1 million compensation to the victim.
In April, another court in the state sentenced 46-year-old Imeh Sunday to life imprisonment for raping his daughter. The court imposed the maximum sentence after the prosecution presented what it described as overwhelming evidence.
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