Fury and grief have gripped the Ebem Ohafia community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State following the arrest of a man accused of sexually abusing a nine-year-old child.
The Abia State Police Command confirmed on Friday that a suspect accused of raping a nine-year-old child is in its custody, with the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stating: “The command is aware. The incident scene was visited, and the suspect apprehended. Investigation is ongoing at the SCID and will be charged to court on conclusion of investigation.”
The suspect, identified as Stephen Njoku, approximately 50 years of age, was initially apprehended by youths of the Ebem community before being handed over to the police and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Umuahia for thorough investigation.
Sources in the community revealed that Njoku, who lives in Ebem Ohafia with his wife and children, had previously been suspected by some residents of inappropriate conduct involving minors. He allegedly threatened the child to remain silent after the incident, but she later disclosed what had happened.
The incident sparked a wild protest by approximately 200 women of Ebem, who marched through the community carrying fresh leaves and performing a traditional outing known as Ikpa Mbogo — a cultural rite of condemnation — against the suspect.
The child was medically examined at Ohafia General Hospital, with findings documented as part of the ongoing investigation. The matter has also been reported to the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Abia State.
The Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU) strongly condemned the alleged sexual abuse, describing it as disturbing, unacceptable, and contrary to the cherished values and traditions of the community.
The community has called for calm as the police investigation continues, with residents demanding the full weight of the law be brought to bear on the accused.
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