“He Took My Childhood”: Tears in Ebem as 50-Year-Old Man Allegedly Defiles 8-Year-Old Girl.

There is pain and outrage in Ebem Ohafia, a community in Abia State, after a 50 year old man named Stephen Njoku was arrested for allegedly defiling an 8 year old girl.

The suspect was caught by local youths in the community and handed over to the police. He has since been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Umuahia for a full investigation. The little girl was quickly taken to the hospital for medical care.

What happened has left the community shaken. About 200 women from Ebem staged a furious protest, moving through the town carrying fresh leaves. That is a traditional display in the area called “Ikpa Mbogo,” used to publicly shame and cry out against a grave evil.

The Ebem Ohafia Development Union (EODU) also spoke out, calling the act disturbing, unacceptable, and against everything the community stands for. They said clearly that Ebem Ohafia has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse.

The union’s spokesperson, Ifeanyi Okali, appealed to the women to remain calm, assuring them that the law would take its course.

Confirming the incident on Friday, the police spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said officers had visited the scene and arrested the suspect. She promised that as soon as the ongoing investigation at the SCID is completed, Stephen Njoku will be charged to court.