A 70-year-old father, Francis Ezomo, and his two sons – Festus Ezomo, 29, Nosa Ezomo, 26 – have been arrested by the police in Edo State for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl who is a relative of Mr Francis’ wife.

The suspects were reportedly handed over to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, by the Acting Chairman of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board and Special Adviser to the governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, at the Government House, Benin City.

Oviawe who spoke with newsmen after handing over the suspects said the case was reported to her office by the headmistress of the minor.

Dr. Oviawe said,

“The issue came to the limelight when the headmistress of the minor’s school noticed a change of behaviour in the minor and decided to ask her what the problem was.

”The nine years old girl narrated her ordeal to the headmistress who then informed the Education Secretary of the local government council where the alleged crime took place.

”We then swung into action and got the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development involved.

 “We could not get the necessary action required from the Police, the state government swung into action and these three men were apprehended almost immediately.”

The SUBEB boss said the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has taken custody of the child, adding that the minor who is in a safe place now, would continue her education without any hiccups.

Oviawe said,

“What the men have done is bad and their actions have attempted to destroy the life and future of the minor. The three men took advantage of the child and exposed her to trauma. We have waded into the case to ensure justice prevails.”

Speaking on the matter, Kokumo assured that his men would carry out a thorough investigation and charge the case to court.

He said,

“Scientific investigation for the minor was sent to the hospital and a doctor report has shown that her hymen has been broken. The scientific report has established that the minor was sexually abused. We will investigate the case and charge them to court.” 

The police boss advised parents against leaving the duty of nurturing their children to teachers in schools.

He said,

“Nurturing a child is not just the responsibility of the school, both parents and guardians have a lot of roles to play in the proper training up of our children.” 

See photo below: