The police in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, have arrested a 16-year-old boy for allegedly raping his 11-year-old schoolmate.
The incident took place in the school premises at Rumukwurusi, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Punch newspaper reported.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson in the state, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect it said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
“The outcome of the investigation would be made known subsequently,” Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent said.
According to the newspaper, the suspect’s friends were watching the scene as he allegedly raped the survivor within the school premises before scaling the fence, apparently to escape punishment by the school management
He was, however, picked up by the school authorities.
‘I saw my daughter bleeding seriously’ – Mother
The girl’s mother has appealed to the Rivers State Government and the school management to ensure the suspect is brought to justice.
The mother, who is said to be a widow, made the appeal while appearing on a radio station in Port Harcourt.
Recounting how she got wind of the incident, the woman said she got a call from the school, inviting her to come over, that there was an emergency.
“I had to rush to the school. When I got there, I saw my daughter bleeding seriously. The bleeding was too much.
“I had to secure my daughter first by bringing her to the hospital while the boy was still in the school custody. They said they would hold the boy for me. The doctors have not said anything yet. They are just taking care of her at the moment, but the situation is still like that, no improvement and the money is expensive.
“The school should provide the boy that did that thing and I want justice for my daughter. I’m a widow and I don’t have anybody. It is just me and my children. They should provide the boy.
“He should not go free at all because maybe he has been doing it to other people, but he will not go free this time. And I want people to help me.”
