Three men have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command in connection with a horrific gang-r3pe of a 12-year-old girl, Esther, in Okpella, Estsako East Local Government Area.
According to reports, five men gang-r*ped the minor on December 24, 2024, and recorded the heinous act before posting the video on social media. The incident has left the young girl, who is now receiving treatment and counseling, with severe emotional trauma.
Esther’s mother brought her to the State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues on January 8, 2025, where she received medical attention and was provided with a safe haven at a government shelter to protect her from potential threats in her community.
On January 10, 2025, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edisili Anani, visited the victim and her mother, offering them her sympathy and praise for their bravery. Mrs. Anani assured them of the government’s commitment to ensuring justice is served.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Irenonsen Joy Ihensekhien, revealed that three out of the five perpetrators are currently in police custody, while the remaining two are still at large. She appealed to the public to report any incidents of abuse and take advantage of free services offered by the sexual assault referral centre (SARC).
Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Child Abuse (SOTHAWACA) emphasized the need for frequent clinical therapy sessions to help Esther cope with the trauma she has experienced.
The organization noted that the victim had been largely mute since the incidence but had recently started speaking in a few words, and they are working to provide her with the necessary support to overcome this traumatic experience.
