Pat Stevens/
A wife has reportedly confessed to covering up sexual abuse of her nine-year-old daughter by her 40-year-old stepfather in order to preserve her marriage to the alleged culprit.
This fact reportedly came to light after the arrest of the couple at their residence in Igwuruta, Rivers State yesterday.
The couple’s arrest followed the intervention of a child’s rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who runs a non-governmental organisation known as Behind Bars, based in Asaba, Delta State.
Gwamnishu had been alerted to the victim’s plight via a Facebook post by one Tobore Anne.
Gwamnishu himself gave an account of the events that led to the arrest of the couple in a post on his Facebook wall.
Read his account below:
Got tagged in a Facebook post by Tobore Anne calling my attention on a child defilement case in Rivers State.
Yesterday at 6:00pm I left Asaba for Portharcourt and alerted our Rivers BBI team.
At 11:20am, we reported to Nigeria Police human rights desk of Igwuruta Divisional Police Station. In company of a female Police officer, we tracked down the suspect and arrested him.
He confessed using his fingers to penetrate (the victim) and also inserted his manhood.
The wife who raised the alarm tried to cover up her husband, but they both later accepted (admitted to the crime) and pleaded that we forgive them.
We will be taking the victim to the hospital tomorrow and provide me (her) all necessary support before charging suspect to court.
Thanks to Divisional Police Station Igwuruta for their collaboration, kudos to BBI Rivers State Director, Prince Ibe and concerned Nigerians that joined us.
Gwamnishu Emefiena Harrison
DG Behind Bars