Operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya police attached to the Rivers Police State Command have arrested a man simply identified as Mr Goodnews for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter along the Apu Road in Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
A family friend to the victim’s parents, Chidi Obulor, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the incident occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, when the suspect, who resides in the same compound as the teenager, under the guise of sending her on an errand, tricked the girl into his apartment and had carnal knowledge of her.
Obulor disclosed that ‘following a formal complaint by the parents of the girl, policemen from the Special Area Rumudomaya went to work and arrested the suspect. The girl was rushed to a hospital where a medical examination was conducted on her and treatment was administered.”
When contacted, a spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Agabe stated, “I can confirm the arrest of the suspect by operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya, and investigation has also commenced.”
Meanwhile, a human rights group, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has criticised some persons under the umbrella of a particular organisation in the area for attempting to initiate a settlement in the matter.
The National Coordinator of the Centre, Prince Wiro, in a voice note sent to our correspondent, stated, “Yes, the victim/parents are the nominal complainants in the matter, but the crime is not only against the victim but also against the state.
“Crimes of this nature are intentional, not a mistake and when perpetrators escape facing justice by way of settlement, it emboldens others to commit the same crime.”
Wiro called on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, saying that if the suspect is found culpable in the course of the investigation, he should be made to face the law.
As of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that efforts were being made to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt, for detailed investigation.
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