JUST IN: Ebonyi police arrest suspected serial rapist

The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a serial rapist, who is notorious for molesting and robbing victims, in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The suspect, a 19-year-old, whose name was given as Miracle Onwe, is a native of Ezzamgbo in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer,  SP Chris Anyanwu, stated this during a briefing at the C Division of the police command, on Friday.

Anyanwu said the suspect was arrested after his latest victim raised the alarm after having had carnal knowledge of her in the farmland.

He said, “On 19/08/2022 at about 1700hrs, Ruth Nwizi, a 22 year old girl was farming at Aboffia village in Ebonyi LGA, Ebonyi State, when suddenly a young man came from the rear and pounced on her.

“The suspect later identified as Miracle Onwe, aged 19, an indigene of Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu LGA, pushed the said Ruth down and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without her consent,” Mr Anyawu said.

He further said after the act, the suspect robbed her of her Infinix Smart 5 phone valued at #45,000 and took to his heels.

He added, “When the girl raised the alarm and drew the attention of passers-by who went after him, the suspect dived into a nearby river with the phone.

“The DPO C Division Ekumenyi, SP Mustapha Waheed, on getting the information, swung into action with his detectives, cordoned off the area leading to the arrest of the suspect.

“He confessed to the crime. Both victim and suspect were taken to FETHA for post-exposure prophylaxis and laboratory tests respectively. A medical report duly issued by FETHA confirmed that the girl was actually raped.”

According to him, the suspect will be arraigned for rape and robbery at the appropriate Court in Ebonyi State.

He equally observed that the suspect was in the habit of molesting young girls in the area in the past.

“It is pertinent to mention at this juncture that the suspect had earlier this year attempted to rape a minor whom he forcefully grabbed in the company of two of her mates.

“However, as soon as he stripped the little girl in a bid to defile her, people who were within the vicinity pursued him and he dived into this same river. This has been his modus operandi.”

The suspect confessed to raping the victim and attempting to rape a minor, earlier in the year.

The victim, Miss Ruth, who narrated her ordeal, demanded that justice be done in the matter.