?IYC, rights group call for prosecution

There was outrage among Ijaw youths and the girl child advocacy group, the Do Foundation over the alleged sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl by a policeman on guard duty in the premises of Market Square shopping mall located in Opolo area of the Bayelsa state capital.

While many residents expressed disbelief and shock over the incident due to the ever crowded nature of the shopping mall environment, others claimed the 17 year old girl was lured by the accused officer to the enclosure provided as Police post to personnel deployed to the facility.

However, attempts to get confirmation on the identity and status of investigation from the Zone 16 Police Command hit brick wall on Saturday as the Zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Gunn. Ewhoborwo Emomena, said he is not aware of the incident and does not have any brief on it.

SP Gunn. Ewhoborwo Emomena said on telephone that ?When I received a similar call on the incident and purported arrest, I checked from office to office and could not find the case.?

Also a check at the State Police Command re-directed inquiries to the Zone 16 Police Command.

The sources at the State Police Command expressed surprise over the development fuelling suspicions of a possible cover up of the randy policeman.

In its statement, the Central Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), however cleared the air by stating that the Mobile Police Division (MOPOL 16) is in charge of the investigation and that the Police Personnel has been arrested.

The IYC, in the Statement signed by the Chairman, Comrade Perez Iniefie, described the action of the Policeman as condemnable.

According to him, ?The family followed all legal steps to secure the suspect?s arrest and support their daughter?s recovery, was shocked to discover that the management had allegedly hidden the officer responsible for the crime.?

?This unacceptable action led to the temporary closure of the facility, a move aimed at easing tensions within the Opolo community. The community had previously expressed concerns about the officer?s conduct toward other residents.?

?Market square has resumed operations as the Mobile Police division (Morpol 16) has provided and arrested the said officer for further investigation.?

?The IYC wants to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the lives and rights of all Ijaw people. The leadership of the Central Zone is actively ensuring that this issue is followed through the appropriate legal channels, and we urge for calm and patience as justice is pursued.?

On her part, the Founder of the Do Foundation, Barr. Dise Goody Harry, noted that though a crime has been allegedly committed, ?We expect all parties concerned to allow for proper investigation on the allegations made against the police officer.?

?We are also calling on the management of Market Square to give immediate financial and medical support to the young girl who is also their staff .This young girl also needs psycho socio support too.?

?This act, if proven to be true, is one that we condemn completely and we are ceasing this opportunity to call on the Bayelsa State Police Command to thoroughly investigate this case and immediately prosecute the said police officer if he?s found to have committed the offence of rape.??

?As a people, as a state, we should continue to protect our girls from sexual abuse. It is sad that this is happening at a time when we just celebrated the international day of the girl child.?

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