News
Father Of Nine, Married To Four Wives Rapes Minor
For the residents of Lugboji Oja community in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, they are still bewildered on why will a man married to four wives would defile an innocent 12-year-old girl.
The suspect, identified as Joseph, a father of nine, is currently cooling off his feet with the police.
Joseph, who was nabbed after attempting to flee the local government area was alleged to have forcefully had canal knowledge of the 12-year-old girl.
It was gathered that the suspected rapist hailed from the same Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State with the father of the victim.
According to one of the villagers who pleaded for anonymity, he narrated that, “Francis Joseph (aka Fat Joe) told the police he is just 30 years of age but he is in his 40s.”
“He is from the same local government area with the father of the girl, Mr Christopher Friday and they are farmers in the same village here in Ondo.
“On Sunday’s evening, he lured the girl to his house where she was raped and also warned her not to tell anybody except if she wanted to die.
“At around 3am on Monday, the girl started bleeding profusely. That was when she told her father all that happened.”
The villager added that the incident was subsequently reported by the girl’s family at the Enuowa Police Station, Ondo after she was rushed to the state Specialist Hospital, Ondo while the suspect was said to have ran away from the village.
“She was treated and a medical report confirmed it that she was truly raped.
“The man has ran away since that day before he was later apprehended at Oka motor park, Ondo town. He was caught with his luggage, which suggests that he was trying to escape.”
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations officer, PPRO, Femi Joseph said the Commissioner of Police, Andie Undie had directed that the case be transferred to the state’s police headquarters for further investigation.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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