The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl inside a stationary tricycle popularly called Keke mara, in Port Harcourt.
Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement on Monday that the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on September 6 in Mini Orlu, off Ada-George Road, where the victim was on holiday at her aunt’s residence.
According to the statement, the girl had been sent to buy fried potatoes nearby when the suspect, a native of Akwa Ibom State residing at Close 6, Rumu-Evolu Road, dragged her into the tricycle, tied her hands, and covered her mouth before assaulting her.
The police said operatives responded to a distress call, rescued the victim, and took her to the police hospital for treatment.
George was later arrested the same night through intelligence gathering, and the tricycle, a bundle of rope, and a wrap of food were recovered from him.
Iringe-Koko added that the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and remains in custody as investigations continue.
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children to protect them from predators.