Police
Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old security guard following the alleged sexual assault of a five-year-old nursery school pupil in Calabar.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed the arrest in an official statement on Tuesday in Calabar, confirming that the command received a formal report regarding the incident on September 28.
According to Eitokpah, the suspect was caught leading the young girl to an uncompleted building adjacent to the school premises, where the alleged assault took place.
The suspect remains in police custody, where preliminary investigations are underway before his expected transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for full-scale investigation and prosecution.
Eitokpah emphasised that the command is treating the case with utmost gravity due to the tender age of the victim and the urgent need to protect children from sexual violence and exploitation. He reassured the public that all investigative protocols and legal child-protection standards will be rigorously applied.
The police spokesperson urged parents, school administrators, and community members to remain vigilant and swiftly report all suspected cases of child abuse to security agencies for prompt action.
He also issued a strict warning against publishing or broadcasting the victim’s name, photographs, or any identifying details on social media or public platforms, stressing that safeguarding the privacy, mental health, and welfare of the child remains paramount.
