Two men rape eight-year-old girl to death

The place the corpse was found.

Eight-year-old (name withheld), a primary three pupil of Christian Victory Nursery/Primary School, Ikot Ekang, in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has been raped to death by two unknown men.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on Tuesday between 6.45pm and 7.30pm, when her maternal grandfather, Mr. Enobong Wilson, sent her to a nearby store.

The girl was said to have moved to Wilson house when her father, Mr. Udo Jimmy, died late last year. It was gathered that Udo’s burial arrangement has been fixed on March 8, 2014.

The Head Teacher of the school, Mr. Ufok Tommy, said when the girl did not return from the errand her maternal grandfather sent her, the man became anxious about her whereabouts.

He stated that after a long search for her in the night, they thought Emediong had gone to her father compound to see her other relations.

He said, “Nobody had any idea  about her whereabouts. We expected her at school, but when all the other children resumed, we noticed she was missing.

“But one of our teachers, Mrs. Lucy Okon, heard many women shouting as they gathered. So, she went to the scene only to see the girl’s corpse lying at the back of a building, which has been raised above foundation level.

“She was found naked, with blood all over her private part and foam in the mouth. And besides where she lay, two pairs of male sandals were picked up. Nobody can tell who killed her. She joined us this term immediately she began to live with her grandfather.”

The Village Head of Ikot Ekang, Chief Ekere Akpan, said the council of chiefs and the villagers were shocked over the dastardly act.

He stated that the village had never experienced incident of that magnitude. He added that when he heard that the girl was raped to death, he went to the scene and saw that the girl was actually raped by two men as the two pairs of sandals could confirm.

“This village has never witnessed this type of dastardly act. When my subjects told me of what happened, I went to the scene to confirm the happening by myself, before reporting the matter to the police.

“We believe the police shall do their work. The blood of the innocent girl can never flow in vain,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, confirmed the incident.

He said the police had made some arrest, especially in a beer parlour that is very close to the girl’s grandfather compound.

He said, “It is true that the incident happened and the police have made some arrest.

“Investigation is ongoing, but we have yet to get the culprits. We advise parents to be cautious when sending children on errands.”

Wilson was not at home when our correspondent visited the area. It was learnt that the mother of the girl was not living in Etinan.

PUNCH