By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UGWUNAGBO — The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Obuikem Nduka, over the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl in Ihie Ukwu community, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, who is from Amapu Uba village in the community, was alleged to have accosted the victim while she was on an errand with her sister and taken her to an undisclosed location where the alleged incident occurred.

Following the incident, the suspect reportedly went into hiding, with efforts by residents and the Ugwunagbo Police Division to apprehend him initially unsuccessful.

Community sources said the police later received information on his whereabouts and arrested him at about 5am on Sunday.

A source said: “Obuikem Nduka is the man accused of defiling an eight-year-old girl. The girl was on an errand with her sister when he allegedly took her to another location. After the incident, he went into hiding until he was arrested by the police following a tip-off.”

Vanguard gathered that the victim is receiving medical attention, while the suspect remains in police custody at the Ugwunagbo Police Division.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said she would respond to inquiries on the matter, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.