Man 40, nab for raping pregnant woman in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A 40 year man, Mr. Akpo of Itogo council ward has been arrested by the Benue state police command for raping an eight month pregnant woman in Obi Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the victim, Mrs. Patient Ona, 25 years, of Irabi Council Ward, Obi LG is due to deliver her baby in the next few weeks when the incident occurred.
The alleged rapist, a motorcyclist according to a source who pleaded anonymity told newsmen that the incident occurred at about 7pm on June 7, 2023.
According to him, Akpo allegedly raped the woman on a bush path when she boarded his motorcycle.
“The woman was going home from the market. She flagged down an okada man and bargained with him to take her home.
“So on their way home, the okada man diverted from the main road to a nearby bush, held her down and raped her.
“As he was raping her, the woman became unconscious and the motorcyclist, thinking that the woman was dead, dragged and dumped her by a river bank where she laid till the next day.
“In the morning, she woke up and discovered herself in a state of sub-consciousness. She was too weak to stand and so she just laid there praying for help.”
The source said she was still lying down by the river bank when her relatives who were already searching for her, found her in that state and took her to the hospital while the matter was also reported to the nearest police station leading to the arrest of the culprit.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.
Our correspondent reports that the suspect is now in the Police custody at Headquarters and will be charged to court soon.
As at the time of filing this report, the victim is said to be with a relative in Makurdi after receiving treatment in the hospital at Obi LG area.