Metro

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

Published

4 months ago

September 16, 2025

Editor

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

JUST IN: Fire Guts Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone In Igbesa

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Editor

A fire broke out on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.

As of this report, there has been no official statement on what caused the incident. However, a resident said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The source added that the fire spread quickly, affecting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.

Details later…

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.