A 74-year-old man, Bassey Inyang, has been handed over to the police for the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year old girl in Calabar.

The suspect, who resides at 14 Waddell Street, Mbukpa in Calabar, was whisked away by men of the Anti-Cult and Kidnapping Squad of the Cross River Police.

A witness had alleged that this was not Mr Inyang’s first time, while other parents, who had similar experiences, also opened up to tell their stories.

They said luck ran out of the suspect when the mother of the 12-year old (name withheld) came to the suspect’s compound to confront him because her daughter had contracted a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).

They said the mother noticed bloodstains on the underwear of the minor and asked her what happened. 

The minor subsequently opened up that the suspect sexually assaulted her.

Commenting on the incident, Pendo Ned, secretary of Ikot Edet Etim village in Efut Abua West clan in the Mbukpa area, said the suspect was brought before the community head, Muri Ebuka, after the incident. 

“Before the community, the suspect confessed to the heinous crime,” he said.

Also, James Ibor, a child rights activist and chairman of Cross River Child Protection Network, urged the police to conclude its investigation so that the suspect would face the law.

Mr Ibor said he would not relent on the case until justice was duly served.

When contacted, Irene Ugbo, a spokesperson for the state police, said she was yet to be briefed on the matter and promised to follow up the investigation.

(NAN)