By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A middle-aged man, Uchennaya Nwubi, has been arrested by the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare for allegedly molesting his two infant daughters in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect is said to have been molesting his children since 2020 following matrimonial dispute with the wife which led to their separation. He was arrested on Thursday by a team from the office of the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

Confirming the arrest, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, through her media aide, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, said the suspect had been detained for child molestation and abuse and would be charged to court.

She commended men of the NSCDC for handling the case, warning that anyone caught engaging in such act would be arrested and prosecuted.

The statement reads in part: “Ministry for women and social welfare through its Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response team quickly incidented the NSCDC and investigations began.

“The rescue was carried out on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 after a whistle blower reported the incident to the ministry.

“In the cause of the investigation, the children were rescued by the Intelligence Unit of NSCDC and the culprit arrested forthwith.

“The culprit Mr Uchenna Nwobi, who is resident in Abagana and the father of the victims has been detained for child molestation and abuse and would be charged to court.

“When the children were rescued, they were first taken to Ntasi Centre Enugwu-Ukwu for medical examinations and treatment and were ascertained defiled by the doctor on duty.

“As at when they were brought to the hospital, there were fresh bruises on their private parts even as the area was also reddish and swollen.

“Speaking with the children who confirmed that they were constantly molested by their father, they pleaded not to return to their father’s house for fear of being severely punished.

“Interrogating the culprit, Mr Nwobi denied the allegation and noted that he was not aware that his children were being defiled by anyone let alone him their own father but rather threatened to deal with whoever made the report.”

According to the statement, the victims, aged three and five years respectively were also rescued from the suspect, even as she added that the wife will also be charged to court.