The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in a tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP.

The command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement on Monday that the suspect tied the victim’s hands and covered her mouth before defiling her in the vehicle.

Mrs Iringe-Koko said officers received a distress call around 7:30 p.m. on September 6 that the victim, who was in Mini Orlu, off Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, for a holiday at her aunt’s residence, was defiled by Mr George.

“The victim, who had been sent by her aunt to buy some fried potatoes along the street not too far from the house, was unfortunately attacked by one Emmanuel George ‘m’, aged 48 years, a native of Akwa Ibom State but resident at Close 6, Rumu-Evolu Road, off Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt.

“The suspect dragged the victim into a stationary tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, tied her hands, covered her mouth to prevent her from raising an alarm, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her before fleeing the scene,” Ms Iringe-Koko stated.

She stated that operatives were mobilised to the scene, where they found the victims and took her to the police hospital in Port Harcourt for medical treatment and examination.

The police spokesperson added, “At about 22:00 p.m. the same day, the suspect was apprehended through coordinated intelligence.”

Ms Iringe-Koko said the police recovered the tricycle, a bundle of rope, and a wrap of fufu from the suspect.

She said that the suspect, during interrogation, voluntarily confessed to the crime, and the seized exhibits are in custody.

Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju urged parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children and wards to avoid encountering such predators in the neighbourhood.