Man nabbed in Edo for allegedly impregnating teenage daughter

• Another flogs step-son to death
The Edo State police command yesterday paraded a 35-year-old man, Moses Friday, for impregnating his teenage daughter, name withheld, a 13-year-old primary school pupil in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.The suspect, who is a commercial motorcyclist, denied having any sexual intercourse with his daughter, but accused his teenage daughter of sleeping around.

According to him, “she told the police that I am responsible for her pregnancy and I told the police that I am not but they did not believe me. They started beating me and because of that, I admitted that I did it.”The victim, who is now five months and one week old pregnant, however, said her biological father had been having carnal knowledge of her since she was seven-year-old, adding that each time she attempted to scream for help for neighbours to come to her rescue, her father would threaten to kill her with his machete.

“My father used everything to force me to come to the bed and lie with him. I have told my father no several times, but he would threaten to kill me with his cutlass. I am in Primary six and some neighbours saw me and took me to the community leader in our area at Okha, where they asked me what happened to my stomach. I didn’t know what they were saying. They asked me when I last saw my menstrual period. I didn’t understand what they are talking about, until the police told me I am pregnant and asked me who did it. I told them my father sleeps with me at night,” she said.

The suspect, who hails from Cross River State, said he lost his wife, the mother of his three children some years ago and was earlier living in Ologbo town before he was chased by the community youths over his sexual promiscuity. Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, while parading 76 suspects allegedly involved in various offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism, said the suspect is notorious for the heinous act, as he has been chased from several communities where he resided owing to complaints about his sexual atrocities. Kokumo said the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigations have been concluded.

Meanwhile, the Edo police command has arrested Mathias Otabor for allegedly flogging his three-year-old stepson, Destiny Meshack, to death. Police said the incident occurred at No. 8, Obanosa Street, off Second East Circular Road, Benin City. The police boss said Mathias flogged his step-son with belt and cable wire until he collapsed and died. He said the body has been deposited at the Central Hospital mortuary.

Among other suspects paraded for armed robbery were Ekpan Emmanuel, 21; Chuks Lateef, 22; Kelvin Airuoyuwa, 19 and Emmanuel Ogheneovo, 21. Those apprehended for cultism according to CP Kokumo included John Emmanuel, Blessing Okhai, Godwin Edet, Blessing Osagie, Lucky Ese, Sunny Victor and Osayuki Iyase. Others were; Alex Isaac, Michael Osagiede, Shamsu Abubakar, Isekhure Nosadeba, Ipea Godfrey, Peter Anyasi, Lucky Ossai and Nwaedozie Iweanya. Some of the suspects confessed to the crimes while others denied. The police boss while assuring members of the public of adequate security of lives and property in the state said the suspects would soon appear in court.