By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command said it has arrested a 48-year old man, identified as Emmanuel George who hails from Akwa Ibom, but resident at Ada-George axis of Port Harcourt for defiling a 12-year old girl(name withheld).
According to the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the arrest was made possible through intelligence gathering, following a distress call received by the CP Strike Force,that acted swiftly to apprehend the suspect.
“On the 6th of September, 2025, at about 1930hrs, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to the CP Strike Force, Port Harcourt, received a distress call reporting that a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) who came to spend the holiday with her Aunt at Mini Orlu, off Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, had been defiled.
“The victim, who had been sent by her Aunt to buy some fried potatoes along the street not too far from the house, was unfortunately attacked by one Emmanuel George ‘m’, aged 48 years, a native of Akwa Ibom State, but resident at Close 6, Rumu-Evolu Road, off Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt. The suspect dragged the victim into a stationary tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, tied her hands, covered her mouth to prevent her from raising alarm, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her before fleeing the scene.
“In a swift response, operatives were mobilized to the scene, and the victim was promptly taken to the Police Hospital, Port Harcourt, for medical treatment and examination. At about 2200hrs the same day, the suspect was apprehended through coordinated intelligence,”the PPRO said.
She said the suspect has confessed to the crime and is now cooling off with the Police, awaiting further actions.
Items recovered from the scene of the crime according to the PPRO include, one bundle of rope,believed to have been used to tie the victim,one wrap of fufu and a tricycle, commonly called Keke-Napep.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the Commiioner of Police (CP), Olugbenga Adepoju has assured residents of Rivers State that the Police remain resolute in protecting lives and property in the State and charged the public to always report suspicious characters in their midst to the nearest police station or other security agencies, stressing that the full weight of the law awaits such perpetrators.