The police command in Anambra says it has secured evidence to prosecute three arrested suspects in separate incidents of defilement reported in Eziowele, Oba and Ogidi Divisions in the state.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

Mr Ikenga revealed that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Gender Unit secured the evidence for the prosecution of three suspects.

According to him, police operatives attached to the Oba Division on Aug. 19 arrested one Ihechiluru Okorie over a case of defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

He said that the suspect confessed to having forcibly had carnal knowledge of the victim when she came to cut her hair in his shop.

“Secondly, Aug. 13, the police operatives attached to the Eziowelle Division arrested one Chidubem Udem, a 28-year-old man, over the defilement of a 5-year-old girl.

“Investigations revealed that the suspect visited the victim at her grandmother’s house, where he forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

“The victim was immediately taken to the hospital, where a medical examination confirmed a case of defilement.

“Similarly, on Aug. 28, one Kalu Ilo, a 30-year-old man, was arrested by Ogidi Police Operatives over defilement of a 13-year-old daughter of his neighbour, who is mentally challenged in Nkpor,” he said.

He stressed that preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspect allegedly went to the victim’s house, where he forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

He noted that all suspects are in custody and would be charged to court on Wednesday.

The PRO noted that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, strongly condemned the acts, just as he assured the public that the command would ensure diligent prosecution to secure justice for the victims.

He said that the commissioner urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to be vigilant and to promptly report any incidents of sexual or gender-based violence to the nearest police station.

He assured that the command remained committed to protecting the rights of children and vulnerable persons across the state.

(NAN)