The Cross River State Police Command on
Sunday confirmed the arrest of one Michael Edet who raped a serving
corps member (name withheld) after breaking into her residence in
Ekpri-Obutong in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Southern City News learnt that
the incident happened on Friday at about 11pm at Block A6, Obutong
Estate in Ekpri-Obutong when the residents were fast asleep.
One of the victim’s neighbours, who
craved anonymity, said the suspect broke into the house of the corps
member at about 11pm on Friday and allegedly raped her before carting
away her valuables, including phones and cash.
She said, “As you can see, these houses
don’t have burglar-proof bars. It is just the glass and anyone can enter
at any time. We live in a very dangerous environment and we have been
facing serious security challenges in this estate.
“This is not the first time they are
raping women in this place. It is quite unfortunate that this time, it
is a visitor (corps member) that was the victim.
“We learnt that she had been moved to
Calabar because as we speak, she is still in shock. But we are also
happy that the police did a good job by apprehending the culprit. We
believe that justice will be served.”
Also, another corps member, who did not want his name mentioned, told Southern City News that his colleague recognised the suspect because he stayed for close to 30 minutes in her house.
“She told us that she recognised the
suspect’s voice and the shoes he wore, but she is still in shock about
what happened to her. She was glad he has been arrested,” he said.
A police source said the suspect went
into hiding after recognising that he had been recognised, adding that
he was eventually apprehended at Akpabuyo.
The police said the suspect was a popular petroleum dealer in the area with a wife who recently put to bed.
When contacted, the Police Public
Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident, adding that the
suspect had been arrested and was already in the police custody.
She said, “It is true. We have arrested
the suspect and he has been identified by his victim as the person who
broke into his house that fateful night.”
Also, the PRO in charge of the state
NYSC, Abdullahi Yuguda, said, “We applaud the role played by security
agencies in Bakassi, which led to the arrest of the culprit. The NYSC
will not relent until justice is done.”
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