The Benue State Police Command has apprehended a 40-year-old individual accused of sexually assaulting an eight-month-pregnant woman. The suspect, identified as Akpo Igwe, is a motorcyclist commonly known as an “okada rider.” The incident reportedly occurred last Thursday in Irabi Council Ward of Obi Local Government Area within the state.
According to an anonymous family member, the victim, a 25-year-old woman whose identity remains undisclosed, had hailed the motorcyclist while returning from the market, intending to be taken home. However, the okada rider allegedly deviated from the planned route and proceeded to a secluded area in the bush, where he allegedly committed the assault.
The family source said, “The incident happened last Wednesday at about 7:00 pm when the woman was returning from the market. She flagged down an okada man and bargained with him to take her home.
“So on their way home, the okada man diverted from the main road to a nearby bush, held her down, and raped her.
“In the process, the woman passed out and the bike man, thinking that the woman had died, dragged her and dumped her by a river bank where she lay till the following day.
“In the morning, she woke up and discovered herself in a state of subconsciousness. She was too weak to stand and so she just laid there praying for help.”
Furthermore, the family, who had tirelessly searched for her throughout the night, discovered her the next day in an unconscious state near the riverbank.
“When we found her in that state we quickly rushed her to the hospital while the matter was also reported at the nearest police station leading to the arrest of the culprit,” the family source said.
Nevertheless, our correspondent gathered that the case has been relocated to the police headquarters in Makurdi, where the suspect is currently being held.
Upon reaching out to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, on Thursday, she confirmed the occurrence.
“The incident is confirmed,” Anene said.
