Operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya police division attached to the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a man simply identified as Goodnews for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 16-year-old daughter along Apu Road in Rukpokwu in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A family friend of the victim’s parents, Chidi Obulor, told newsmen on Thursday in Port Harcourt that the incident occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, when the suspect, who resides in the same compound as the teenager, under the guise of sending her on an errand, tricked the girl into his apartment and had carnal knowledge of her.

Obulor disclosed that “following a formal complaint by the parents of the girl, policemen from the Special Area Rumudomaya went to work and arrested the suspect. The girl was rushed to a hospital where medical examination was conducted on her and treatment is being administered.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect, saying investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the arrest of the suspect by operatives of Special Area Rumudomaya, and investigation has also commenced.”

Meanwhile, a human rights group, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has criticised some persons under the umbrella of a particular organisation in the area for attempting to initiate a settlement in the matter.

National Coordinator of the Centre, Prince Wiro, in a voice note sent to our correspondent, stated, “Yes, the victim/parents are the nominal complainants in the matter, but the crime is not only against the victim but also against the state.

“Crimes of this nature are intentional, not a mistake, and when perpetrators escape facing justice by way of settlement, it emboldens others to commit the same crime.”

Wiro called on the police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, adding that if the suspect is found culpable, he should be made to face the law.

As of the time of filing this report, it was gathered that efforts were underway to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt, for detailed investigation. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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