Akpo Igwe, a 40-year-old biker, was detained by members of the Benue State Police Command for allegedly raping a pregnant woman in her eighth month at the Irabi Council Ward in the state’s Obi Local Government Area.
A family member of the woman claimed that she had stopped the motorcycle rider to take her home after leaving the market, and that he had then turned into a thicket and reportedly raped her.
The source said, “The incident happened last Wednesday around 7pm when the woman was returning from the market. She flagged down an Okada man and bargained with him to take her home.
“On their way, the Okada man diverted from the main road into a nearby bush, held her down and raped her. In the process, the woman passed out and the Okada man, thinking that she had died, dragged her out of the bush and dumped her by a river bank where she laid till the following day.
“When the victim woke up in the morning, she discovered that she was too weak to stand and so she just laid there praying for help.”
The source added that the victim’s relatives had been looking for her at home all night long until she was discovered near the river bank.
“When we found her in that state, we quickly rushed her to the hospital while the matter was reported at the nearest police station leading to the arrest of the culprit. The woman is about eight months pregnant and is expected to deliver her baby in the next few weeks,” the family source said.
However, it was discovered that the case had been sent to the Makurdi police headquarters.
When contacted, SP Catherine Anene, the state police public relations officer, stated, “The incident is confirmed.”
