Security operatives have apprehended a 30-year-old man, Chinonso Nwaebonyi, for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl in Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
Nwaebonyi, who hails from the Izzi community in Ebonyi State, was arrested after the girl’s mother reported the incident to the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo. According to the statement, Nwaebonyi initially denied the allegations during interrogation but later admitted to the crime, claiming it occurred “only once.”
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The statement revealed that the seven-year-old girl and her twin brother had been visiting a neighboring compound to play since the holiday began. It was during these visits that the suspect allegedly defiled the young girl multiple times. The victim disclosed that the abuse occurred about five times, particularly on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The incident came to light when the girl’s mother noticed swelling in her daughter’s private area while bathing her. Upon inquiry, her daughter confided in her, leading the mother to confront the guardians of the suspect. She subsequently sought medical attention for her daughter and reported the matter to the ministry.
During further interrogation, the suspect claimed he did not force the girl but asked her to raise her clothes and lie down on the ground. The survivor and her twin brother are said to have been born to their parents after a decade of childlessness, making the incident even more heart-wrenching for the family.
Nwaebonyi has since been handed over to the police, where he will undergo further interrogation and face charges in court. The case highlights the continued enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, enacted in 2015, which mandates severe penalties for crimes such as rape and defilement. Convicted offenders face life imprisonment or a maximum of 14 years, depending on the specifics of the crime.
Anambra State has seen multiple arrests for offenses related to rape and defilement, with several cases currently awaiting prosecution in the courts.
