Spokesperson for zone 17 of the command, Akeem Adeoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 29, said the suspect committed the offence in February 2022 and fled the community.

A 32-year old man identified as Afolami Olanrewaju has been arrested by men of the Ondo state police command for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 9-year-old girl in Ile-Oluji community in Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson for zone 17 of the command, Akeem Adeoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 29, said the suspect committed the offence in February 2022 and fled the community.

Adeoye explained that the mother of the little girl reported the incident to the Police while the victim was taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

He said the efforts of detectives from the state led to the arrest of the suspect in Akure, the state capital in May 2022, a few months after committing the offence.

“On 18th May 2022, Police detectives attached to Zonal CID, Zone 17  Headquarters, Akure,  arrested one Afolami Olanrewaju aged 32 of Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo L.G.A of Ondo State for d*filing a nine-year-old child, name withheld,” the statement read.

“Investigation reveals that on 6th February 2022, the suspect visited the provision shop of the victim’s mother in Ile Oluji, Ondo State on the day he committed the offence and volunteered to drop off the victim and her siblings at their parent’s house.

“The suspect, on getting to the house, forcefully had carnal knowledge of the victim and immediately packed his loads from his house in Ile Oluji and went into hiding.

“Effort intensified by the detectives led to his arrest in Akure, Ondo State. The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime during interrogation.”

The suspect was arraigned at High Court Akure. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the continuation of the case.

The case was adjourned to 27th July 2022.