19-Year-Old Serial Rapist Arrested By Police

A 19-year-old alleged serial rapist who specializes in s*xually assaulting and robbing victims has been detained by the Ebonyi State Police Command.

Speaking at a briefing at the C Division of the police command on Friday, September 2, 2022, the command’s spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu said the offender, Miracle Onwe, was apprehended after raping his most recent victim at a farm.

He said, “On 19/08/2022 at about 1700hrs, Ruth Nwizi, a 22-year-old girl was farming at Aboffia village in Ebonyi LGA, Ebonyi State, when suddenly a young man came from the rear and pounced on her.

“The suspect later identified as Miracle Onwe, aged 19, an indigene of Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu LGA, pushed the said Ruth down and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.”

The spokesperson added that the culprit instantly fled after robbing her of her Infinix Smart 5 phone, which was worth N45,000.

The suspect leapt into a nearby river with the phone after the girl raised an alarm and attracted the attention of neighbours who chased after him.

“He confessed to the crime. Both victim and suspect were taken to FETHA for post-exposure prophylaxis and laboratory tests respectively. A medical report duly issued by FETHA confirmed that the girl was actually raped,” Mr Anyanwu said.

According to the police spokesperson, the culprit will be charged with rape and robbery at a court in Abakaliki.

He mentioned that the suspect has a history of harassing young girls in the neighbourhood.

The spokesperson said, “It is pertinent to mention at this juncture that the suspect had earlier this year attempted to rape a minor whom he forcefully grabbed in the company of two of her mates. However, as soon as he stripped the little girl in a bid to defile her, people who were within the vicinity pursued him and he dived into this same river. This has been his modus operandi.”

The PPRO praised the youth of Abofia village for helping the police apprehend the suspect and asked the people of Ebonyi State to always rise to the occasion within their various communities and work with the police to eradicate crime and criminality from the State.

The suspect confessed to raping the victim and attempting to rape his first victim, a minor, earlier in the year.

The victim, Miss Ruth, expressed her desire for justice while recounting her ordeal.