Metro

Man Arrested For Defiling 12-year-old Girl In Rivers

Published

3 weeks ago

September 16, 2025

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Monday, stated that George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.

According to her, the victim, who had gone to buy fried potatoes, was attacked by George, a native of Akwa Ibom but residing in Port Harcourt.

The statement read, “On the 6th of September, 2025, at about 7:30pm, operatives of the State Police Command attached to the CP Strike Force, received a distress call reporting that a 12-year-old girl who came to spend the holiday with her aunt at Mini Orlu, off Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, had been defiled.”

“The suspect dragged the victim into a stationary tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, tied her hands, covered her mouth to prevent her from raising an alarm, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her before fleeing the scene.”

Iringe-Koko stated that the girl was later taken to the police hospital in Port Harcourt for treatment, while the suspect was arrested the same day, around 10pm.

She further disclosed that recovered exhibits during the arrest included a bundle of rope, a tricycle, and a wrap of fufu, adding that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, in the statement vowed that “perpetrators of crime in Rivers State will face the full wrath of the law.” He also urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards closely.

The incident has once again spotlighted the rising cases of child sexual violence across the country.

The PUNCH in May reported that the National Human Rights Commission documented 86,633 child rights violations across Nigeria between January 2024 and January 2025, which included cases of sexual abuse.

Another report in June 2025 has Civil society groups repeatedly raising alarm over high rates in rape and defilement cases, stressing that perpetrators believe children are easy targets due to their vulnerability, silence, or inability to defend themselves or speak up.

However, the increase in reported cases, especially involving minors, may also reflect growing awareness, improved public education, and the gradual breakdown of the culture of silence.

Metro

Fire Guts Section Of Rivers Secretariat

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2025

Editor

A section of the Rivers State Secretariat was on Monday evening gutted by fire, leaving parts of the complex damaged before it was brought under control.

The fire, which reportedly started a few minutes past 5 p.m., was contained through the swift response of the Rivers State Fire Service.

Eyewitnesses said the blaze spread rapidly before firefighters arrived at the scene to extinguish it, preventing further damage to nearby offices.

Although the cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed, preliminary reports suggest that an electrical fault may have triggered the incident.

The Rivers State Head of Service, Inyingi Brown, also attributed the outbreak to an electrical fault, urging workers to ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off before leaving the office.

An unconfirmed source indicated that the fire may have affected the state Pension Commission, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the full impact of the incident as investigations continue.

Metro

18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.

The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.

The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.

In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.

A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.

Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.

The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.

According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

(DAILY POST)