The Anambra State government has declared its determination to prosecute all those implicated in the sexual violation of a 16-year-old girl by eight men, including the adult placed in charge of her welfare, in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Esther Onyekesi, announced this on Thursday after the teenager, whose name is being withheld, was brought before her at the ministry’s office in Awka.
A visibly shaken Onyekesi told those present that the state government viewed the incident with utmost gravity and would spare no effort in ensuring that every person involved answered for their actions.
“The state government condemned this act in the strongest possible terms. Every perpetrator will be brought to justice, and this will serve as a clear warning to anyone who preys on the vulnerable,” she said.
She added, “The trauma this young girl has been subjected to by people who were supposed to keep her safe is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable. We are committed to standing with her through this process until justice is fully served.”
Findings presented to the commissioner showed that the teenager had become pregnant, now estimated at two months, as a direct consequence of the sustained sexual attacks she endured.
A Catholic priest based in Nawfia first raised the alarm after stumbling upon information about the abuse, and subsequently facilitated contact with government authorities.
The girl, in her own account, said the man entrusted with her care had subjected her to nightly sexual assault, and that his associates later joined in the abuse over a period of time.
She said her escape from the situation was made possible last week through the intervention of a compassionate individual, following which some of the accused were taken into custody before she was presented to the commissioner.
The victim further revealed that the guardian’s wife, who is incapacitated by a stroke, had been in no position to come to her defence throughout the period of abuse.
According to the girl, men of the Nawfia Police Division have so far apprehended two out of the eight named suspects, with the remaining six still evading arrest as of the time of the visit.
Investigations indicate that the matter is currently being handled at the Nawfia Police Station.
Separately, residents of the area were also rattled in May by the discovery of the body of an elderly woman, identified as Victoria Adegoke, in a bush not far from the community. She was found unclothed and bore signs consistent with rape and strangulation before her remains were dragged into the undergrowth.
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