The Anambra state government reported on Thursday that the police had apprehended a 75-year-old barber named Nwankwo Nweke for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Awka.

Ify Obinabo, the commissioner for women and social welfare, addressed journalists in Awka, stating that the arrest came after the girl’s parents reported the incident to the ministry.

Ms. Obinabo assured the public that justice would be served in the case. According to the girl’s father, John Ugwuanyi

Mr Ugwuanyi said, “When she came back, we noticed the items she had bought were not complete and asked her to go back to the shop. We started looking for her when she did not return on time.

“We went to the shop but did not see her there. That was when we started screaming her name in the neighbourhood. After few hours, some persons told us she was pushed out from our neighbour’s room.”

Mr Ugwuanyi added, “We asked her what happened and she told us the suspect took her to his room to give her mango and also told her not to answer when we were calling out her name.

“At that point, we had to report the case to the ministry and the police, after which my daughter was taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that the man defiled her.”