The Nigeria Police have arrested six suspects identified as Abuchi Okechukwu, Sunday Okafor, Chima Obiekezie, Afam Ezenwa, Chijioke Ifeanyi, and Collins Obadom for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old girl in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The accused, aged 16, 17, 18, 20, and 27 were said to have carried out the act after waylaying and forcing the victim into a room, where they took turns to violate her.
Narrating her ordeal, the teenager (name withheld), said the incident happened when she visited her maternal home in Oramaetiti and got ambushed by the boys.
The lady said in spite of her protest, they did not stop while one of them videoed the act. She also said she was only able to escape when neighbours came to her rescue after overhearing her screams.
The victim was reportedly accosted on her way home by another set of boys, who harassed and ordered her to pull down her pants while threatening to kill her.
She revealed that a good Samaritan took her to her parents after the boys fled with her pants.
Her mother said she was the third victim of the gangsters, adding that they were known for raping girls and stealing their pants for ritual purposes.
She pleaded with the state government to not to take the case lightly as her daughter’s pant was still in their possession.
While briefing pressmen in Awka on Saturday, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the suspects had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, where they would be arraigned.
Obinabo noted that the arrest was carried out following a viral video on social media showing the gangrape of the teenager.
She said, “The high rate of crime among delinquents in Anambra is alarming. Parents and guardians should stop sparing the rod, thereby spoiling the child.”
In March, over 30,000 aggrieved women poured into streets in Amunze, protesting the gang rape by five assailants and the murder of 72 year old Mrs. Charity Okoli, whose breasts, fingers, tongue and private parts were all missing.