Loud Whispers

The incident which caused outrage among residents of Yenagoa, occurred in Swali area of the metropolis.

The 50-year-old Ekanem, said to be an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was ar­rested by men of the state’s security outfit, codenamed Opera­tion Doo Akpo.

It was learnt that the incident provoked an­ger among residents, particularly women lawyers under the auspices of the Inter­national Federation of Women Lawyers.

The suspect, who is said to be a lover to the mother of the child, Blessing Joshua, was allegedly caught red-handed in the act.

The 40-year-old mother of the victim, said she was shocked when she caught Ekanem defiling her daughter.

“He claimed it was the work of the devil and I told him that this would be last time the devil would use him and that I would take the matter seri­ously. He pleaded and closed the door to prevent me from call­ing neighbours. But I tricked him and ran outside with my child to call police patrol team at our junction.

“He was arrested but he denied the act. But a test carried out at the hospital showed that the minor was de­filed.”

Reacting on the matter, the Chairper­son of FIDA in Bayelsa State, Dise Ogbise Er­hisere, confirmed the development, describ­ing it as “barbaric and wicked act to impede the healthy develop­ment of the child.”

Calls to the spokes­man for the Bayelsa State Police Com­mand, Mr. Asinim Butswat, to confirm if the matter had been reported to the police proved abortive.