From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
There was outrage over the weekend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State following the arrest of a police officer allegedly for raping a 17-year-old girl at the premises of a popular shopping mall located at Opolo.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was said to have lured the victim to the cubicle provided as a police post and carried out his act.
Findings indicated that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Central Zone shut down the mall over the incident and demanded full-scale investigation.
It took the intervention of well-meaning Bayelsans and assurance of a full-scale investigation of the incident for prosecution before the IYC was prevailed upon to reopen the mall.
A statement from the IYC which indicated that the Mobile Police Division (MOPOL 16) was in charge of the investigation confirmed the arrest of the suspect.
The IYC, in the statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Perez Iniefie, described the action of the policeman as condemnable.
“The family followed all legal steps to secure the suspect’s arrest and support their daughter’s recovery. I was shocked to discover that the management had allegedly initially hidden the officer responsible for the crime.
“This unacceptable action led to the temporary closure of the facility, a move aimed at easing tensions within the Opolo community. The community had previously expressed concerns over the officer’s conduct toward other residents.
“The facility has resumed operations as the Mobile Police Division (Morpol 16) has arrested and provided the said officer for further investigation.
“The IYC wants to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the lives and rights of all Ijaw people. The leadership of the Central Zone is actively ensuring that this issue is followed through the appropriate legal channels, and we urge for calm and patience as justice is pursued.”
On her part, the founder of the Do Foundation, Mrs Dise Goody Harry, noted that though a crime had been allegedly committed, “we expect all parties concerned to allow for proper investigation on the allegations made against the police officer.”