Edo Police Arrest 37-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Rape of 70-Year-Old Woman

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the alleged rape of a 70-year-old woman in Igueben, the command has said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed the arrest on Wednesday during a briefing on the command’s operational activities over the past week. She said the suspect remained in custody as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.

Ikoedem, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, described sexual violence as a serious concern and said the case was being thoroughly investigated. She added that the suspect would be prosecuted in accordance with the law if the investigation establishes sufficient grounds for prosecution.

“Regrettably, sexual violence remains a serious concern. The Command has in custody a 37-year-old male suspect in connection with the alleged rape of a 70-year-old woman in Igueben,” she said.
In another development, police operatives attached to the command’s Gender and Family Unit reportedly recovered a six-month-old baby allegedly stolen and taken to Imo State. Ikoedem said the child had been reunited with the family and that suspects linked to the incident had been arrested.

The command also reported the arrest of seven suspected cult members by operatives of the Otuo Division during an intelligence-led operation aimed at curbing cult-related activities. According to the police, the arrests formed part of sustained operations targeting criminal activities across the state.

Ikoedem further disclosed that police and other security personnel had completed a week-long joint clearance operation across parts of Edo North. She said the operation targeted criminal elements and their hideouts in forest areas and that no kidnapping activity was reported in the affected areas during the period.

Police also arrested suspects allegedly connected to an incident involving the stripping of a young girl and the subsequent circulation of related material on social media around the Ekiadolor axis. The suspects remained in custody as investigations continued.

The police spokesperson urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies and advised parents and young people to stay away from cultism and criminal associations. She also warned against using social media to humiliate, threaten, expose or sexually violate others, stressing that sexual violence is a criminal offence.