The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, identified as Okputu Bright, over the alleged rape of an 11-year-old girl in Yala Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the victim’s father reported the incident at the Okpoma Divisional Police Headquarters on October 24, alleging that it occurred on October 18.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly lured the girl and sexually assaulted her before leaving her at a location within the community.
The command said the child had been referred to a general hospital for medical examination, while the suspect was arrested and detained.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed that the investigation be concluded promptly and the case file transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
In a statement issued in Calabar, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, urged members of the public to report suspected sexual offences and avoid circulating information or images that could identify the victim.
The police said the suspect remained presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdictions.