By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A middle-aged man whose identity was given simply as Innoma has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old student of Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Disclosing this to journalists in Awka on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect has admitted to the crime during interrogation.

He gave assurance that justice would be served.

On his part, the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, has ordered immediate remand of the suspect, after his detention at the Inland Town Police Division, Onitsha.

The Governor frowned at the nefarious act of preying on innocent ladies, vowing to take every available legal means to bring the perpetrator to book, even as he expressed hope that it would serve as a deterrent to others.

He urged inhabitants of the State to always speak up in the face of such despicable acts.

According to Ikenga, investigation on the matter was still ongoing, adding that the suspect would be arraigned next week Wednesday.

He said: “It’s a case of rape and the first respondent is the Inland Town Police station before it was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.

“We invited the victim and carried out some tests on her to confirm the alleged defilement and the tests authenticated she was defiled.

“We were able to arrest the suspect and brought him to book. During the interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

“One thing about rape is that it’s a crime against both God and man. It’s morally and legally wrong and the society frowns at it.

“It’s unfortunate this teenage girl has been exposed to this trauma in her early life. What led the suspect to committing this crime is left between him and God.”