A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Bayelsa State has reportedly absconded after allegedly defiling a 12-year-girl.
The 31-year-old corps member identified as Jonathan Ogbe, attached to the Asamabiri Community Primary School in Asamabiri, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, allegedly defiled the pupil last September.
It was gathered that Ogbe, an indigene of Kogi State with NYSC call up number NYSC/ABU/2020/113131, has since refused to pick up his discharge certificate to avoid being arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Confirming the incident, the State Public Relations Officer of NYSC, Mathew Ngobua, said that the accused corps member have absconded.
According to him, “The accused has abandoned service, and all his numbers and that of his next of kin are not reachable. He has not even picked up his discharge certificate for service.”
It was learnt that the development was raised by the father of the victim, Nelson Gbaranbiri, after his wife called his attention to some strange discharge found in the panties of his 12-years-old daughter while doing her laundry.
In a petition forwarded to the State Police Commissioner and dated 3rd of September, 2021, the counsel to the victim’s family, A.O. Aniso Esq, said the accused had admitted to being responsible when he was confronted.
“After the medical confirmation, the family again confronted the corps member of his wrongdoing, and he apologize profusely even offering N50, 000 to cover medical treatment. This is a criminal act and he has brought great shame to my client’s family,” Aniso stated.
Meanwhile, the State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), through its Chairperson, Barr. Dise Ogbise said it has received the petition and would reach out to the State Police Command for an update.
