Tina Amanda
Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two of the three male students of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni for allegedly gang-raping a 100-level female student of the institution.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni who confirmed this in an interview with our correspondent, said investigations are on-going as well as the hunt for the apprehension of principal suspect, Destiny Azubuike who is at large.
According to the Command’s Spokesperson, the principal suspect had in pretence offered to charge the victim’s phone in his hostel room where the alleged rape took place.
Omoni who revealed the existence of a notorious hostel on the campus where female students are lured and are gang-raped stressed that the case has been transferred to the State CID.
He affirmed that the police will interface with the school authority to uncover the information gotten of female students being sexually abused by male students.
One of the alleged culprits and 100 level Sociology Student, 16 years old Henry Ovum, confessed to had committed the offence.
According to him, after the principal suspect Destiny Azubuike finished having sex with the victim, he also approached her and had sex with her.
He explained that while he was having his turn of sex with the victim, other male students were at the door peeping at them, while he overheard them clamouring for their turn.
He said further that the victim begged him to wait and escort her out of the room’s door, for fear of other guys coming to have unlawful sex with her, but he walked out of the door thinking she was coming behind, only for the door to close behind him.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Groups have condemned the alleged gang rape of the 100-level female Student by three male students of the Institution.
In an interview with our correspondent, Vice-Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, Nnenna Igbokwe, said FIDA will ensure the suspects are prosecuted while urging the victim not to entertain fears but be rest assured that justice will be served.
“We are here to stand and support the victim to ensure she gets justice, we also want her to know that it is important she stands for the matter. The problem with rape cases is that most times when the cases start, the victims compromise by collecting some form of compensation either monetary or otherwise.
“She has to stand and get justice for herself. When justice is gotten, it speaks volumes for other perpetrators out there”
Acting State Secretary, Centre For Basic Rights And Accountability Campaign, Mary Prince, called on the Rivers State Police Command to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and anyone found culpable made to face the law.
“We from the organization condemned the alleged gang rape of a female student by three male students, we demand a thorough investigation of the matter by the police. Rape matter is a serious offence we do not joke with as a group”
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, in a statement, said the institution is working in synergy with the police to ensure justice, adding that the search for the third culprit is on-going while the occupants of the room have been sent out of the hostel.
