Two local vigilante members in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, have been taken into custody on charges of raping and torturing Miss Glory Joseph, a fifteen-year-old girl.
Mother of the victim, Mrs. Helen Joseph, a widow, told newsmen about her daughter’s trauma and begged Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Commissioner of Police, and Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo, to intervene on her behalf so that she wouldn’t be denied justice.
Speaking from Makurdi, Benue State, she added, “I am a widow and mother of six. We live in Nkpor. On that fateful day, three vigilante operators and a girl stormed my apartment.”
“My daughter said that she didn’t comprehend what they were saying and didn’t take any money, even though the girl had accused her of taking $13,000 that she had stashed in a specific location.
They carried her to their camp of torture and began beating her right away. She is my only kid, therefore that day was awful for me since I begged them to let her go, but they refused to listen.
“They detained her while others tortured her over the night, and their commander sexually assaulted her. Early in the morning the next day they dropped her at the gate of our compound with blood all over her body and she couldn’t talk since she was unconscious.
“I had no option than to rush to Ogidi police station and one of them, the one that raped her, was detained and the police took my daughter to hospital where it was proven that she was raped.
“At the Ogidi Police Station, the officers attempted to free the person they had arrested without providing a valid reason. I had to contact the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, and as a result, the matter was moved to Awka.
“The one at Ogidi was brought to Awka, so the police at Awka arrested one more, bringing the total to two.” I was approached by the vigilante group’s leaders and friends, who pleaded with me to take #50,000. I refused, stating that I wanted justice for my daughter.
The following day, they returned and begged for $100,000. When I answered, “I want justice,” they boasted that they would pay the $100,000 to the police, release the people who had been imprisoned, and, according to their word, the two who had been detained had been set free.
“The police informed me they would come to Nkpor and interview individuals about the incident because I don’t have anyone on my side. Fortunately for me, a neighbor has admitted to me that her daughter, not my daughter, took down the contentious #13,000 and has pleaded with me to pardon her.
“I am pleading to Governor Soludo, Commissioner of Police and Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo to come to my rescue before they deny me justice as my daughter now lives in pains,” she said.
Police spokeswoman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the occurrence and stated that an inquiry has been launched.
