Policeman detained over ‘rape of widow’ in Rivers

The police command in Rivers says it has detained one of its officers accused of raping a 23-year-old widow.

Nnamdi Omoni, the command’s spokesman, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital, on Friday.

He said the command had launched a full investigation into the rape claim by inviting the victim, as well as the police officer and his team allegedly present during the incident.

“The parties have provided useful statements to investigators. They were invited on Thursday and the matter is being investigated by detectives at the state criminal investigation department (CID),” Omoni said.

“The officer was detained immediately after giving his statement.

“We assure members of the public that justice would be served at the conclusion of our investigation.”

According to NAN, the widow had alleged that a police inspector, whose name wasn’t given, raped her repeatedly after he arrested her for not wearing a face mask.

The officer was reportedly on a stop-and-search duty when he met the widow at a checkpoint in Tai local government area of Rivers.

The mother of two was reported to have claimed that the inspector later took her to a hotel in Bori, Rivers, and forcefully had sex with her without her consent.

“He dragged down my trousers and had his way despite my resistance,” the widow was quoted as saying.

“Later in the morning, he did it again and asked me to give him my phone number. I was helpless and afraid because we were alone.”