The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that it investigated an allegation of sexual abuse involving a three-year-old girl in Abakaliki, but is still awaiting legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) more than a year after the alleged incident.
Key Highlights
- Ebonyi Police received a complaint over the alleged sexual abuse of a three-year-old girl on September 1, 2025.
- The police said they forwarded the case file to the DPP in October 2025 for legal advice.
- A reminder was sent to the DPP in May 2026, but the police said they had yet to receive a response as of October 2026.
- Two women were arrested during the investigation and denied knowledge of the alleged incident.
- The police said further action would be taken in accordance with the law after receiving the DPP’s advice.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in response to a publication alleging the sexual abuse of a child at Abakaliki Cathedral.
According to the statement, the command received a complaint from the victim’s mother on September 1, 2025, alleging that her daughter was sexually assaulted on August 22, 2025, at about 8:30 a.m.
The mother reportedly told the police that the child had gone outside to play and was later seen holding hands with another child, aged about four.
When she discovered that her daughter was missing, she searched for her and made inquiries from neighbours, who reportedly said they had not seen the child.
The statement said the girl later returned home and reportedly told her mother that she had been at the residence of Mr Herbert Obioma Okoro.
The mother also observed that the child was limping and subsequently took her to a hospital, where, according to her account, a medical examination indicated that the child had been sexually abused.
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Police Arrest Two Women During Investigation
The police said they commenced an investigation and arrested Nkechi Obioma Okoro and Adanna Obioma Okoro after the complainant identified them as persons she suspected might have information about the incident.
The two women, however, denied that the child had visited their residence and said they had no knowledge of what happened to her.
The police explained that, following the Ebonyi child sexual abuse investigation, the case file was forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution in October 2025 for legal advice.
According to Ukandu, the command sent a reminder to the DPP in May 2026 but had yet to receive a response as of October 2026.
The police said the matter remained subject to the outcome of the legal review and that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law upon receipt of the DPP’s advice.
Ebonyi Police Reaffirm Commitment to Child Protection
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that allegations of criminal conduct were handled with the seriousness they deserved.
It also urged members of the public to rely on verified information and allow due process to take its course.
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