The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Benin Zonal Command, has taken into custody , a 62 – year -old shoemaker , Chukwudi Agustine , for allegedly raping a 12 -year – old girl.
Mr Nduka Nwanwenne , the Benin Zonal Commander said on Thursday in Benin that the victim who is a student , also helps her mother to sell “ Zobo ” , a locally made beverage .
Nwanwenne said the suspect had purchased N 50 worth of Zobo from the victim and gave her N 500 note.
“ The little girl, who had no change , agreed to come for her money after the day ’s sales because she was familiar with the suspect and the environment .
“ Two weeks later , the victim went back to the suspect’ s shop to collect her money but she did not meet him there .
“ She was, however , directed by the suspect ’s apprentice to his house . When she knocked at his door , the suspect dragged her in forcefully and defiled her. ”
Nwanwenne said that the cry of the victim attracted the suspect ’s neighbours who rescued her.
According to the zonal commander , “ on realising that the law would catch up with him, the suspect allegedly tried to settle the victim ’s mother with the sum of N 50 ,000 .
“ He later reduced the settlement sum to N 30 , 000 before he was apprehended by the men of the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps who handed him over to NAPTIP , ” he said.
Nwanwenne added that the suspect , who hails from Ishiagu Community in Ohazaria Local Government Area of Ebonyi State , had allegedly admitted to the crime as the investigation was being concluded to charge him to court.
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