HomeNewsPolice arrests Retired army man, 73, for raping 4-year-old niece in Calabar

Police arrests Retired army man, 73, for raping 4-year-old niece in Calabar

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The police have arrested a retired army man for raping a 4-year-old girl who happens to be his niece in Calabar, Cross River State.

Police arrests Retired army man, 73, for raping 4-year-old niece in Calabar
Police arrests Retired army man, 73, for raping 4-year-old niece in Calabar. (c): Licensors

The suspect, identified as Bassey Ekanem, 73-year-old resides at 12 Edim Ibangaha Street, Big Qua Town, Calabar.

According to Vanguard, the septuagenarian retired in service as a captain in the Army.

Bassey is currently in Police custody and has blamed his action on alcohol. According to him, ‘influence of alcohol and couldn’t understand why he committed the act.

The four years old victim was violated by the Uncle whom she calls grandpa.

A neighbour who pleaded to remain anonymous gave a little narration on the incident.

The neighbour said, “He (the suspect) had sent the lady living with him to the market.

“Then he lured the little girl into his apartment and started fingering her and broke her hymen in the process.

“It was the victims younger brother who is about 2 years who told their mother that grandpa put her hand inside her sister’s “bum-bum” before their mother raised alarm and the matter was reported to Akim police station,” the neighbour added.

Meanwhile, authorities have transferred the matter from the Akim Police Station to the State Headquarters.

The Principal Counsel, Basic Right Council Initiative, James Ibor Esq, confirmed he is aware of the case.

Reacting, Ibor said he is appalled by the increase in the number of rape cases every day.

He said; “I am heartbroken and appalled by the increasing number of rape every day in Calabar and beyond.

“The Child Rights Act really needs to be implemented to the latter because the girl child is going through a lot.

“This particular matter cannot be swept under the carpet and the suspect must face the full wrath of the law even though they are related.

“In most cases, when the case is gaining momentum, a lot of pressure starts coming in for the matter to become compromised especially when it has to do with a relative.”

“He is now in police custody and we expect our officers to do a thorough job because this is one too many in the rape saga ravaging the country.

“It didn’t start today but it’s high time people started speaking up, rape is a serious crime,” he said.

Ibor also confirmed that the victim admited to committing the crime.

He said, “it is only the court that can determine whether he had the capacity to carry out the act as there are claims he was under the influence of alcohol at the time he committed the abominable act.

This is following the unfortunate rape and murder of two 100 level students, Vera and Barakat.

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