32-year-old man nabbed for defiling physically challenged minor

Abdullateef Fowewe

The operatives of the Delta State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, identified as Ezekiel Elijah, who hails from Adjara in the Isoko region, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old physically challenged girl in Aviara, Isoko area of Delta State.

The Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed the arrest in a video on Sunday shared on his X (formally Twitter).

Edafe stated that the suspect allegedly lured the victim into his house, where he committed the offence.

Edafe while interrogating the suspect said, “He deceived this girl, took her into his house, locked her inside, and sexually molested her.”

He further stressed that the victim’s vulnerability made the case particularly disturbing, stating, “She’s someone that needs a guardian, someone that needs assistance.”

During questioning, Elijah claimed he was unaware of the victim’s age. However, SP Bright clarified that ignorance does not constitute a valid defense.

“Whether she agrees or not is immaterial… she has not gotten to that age where she can decide for herself,” Edafe added.

The suspect’s statement to the police stated that he called out to two individuals passing by, and the victim later returned alone.

However, the spokesman said the suspect will be charged in court for defilement, noting that cases of defilement are treated with utmost seriousness under the law.

“The offence of defilement is a very clear one. Provided she’s not of an age where she can give consent; consent is immaterial and will be treated as defilement,” he noted.