“Rape is a felony and the rate of sexual abuse is alarming, so we need to protect the female gender from predators," Ibor said, adding that they are in touch with the girl's parents, who confirmed that the suspect was still a virgin before she was raped. The case of sexual abuse is a growing concern in Nigeria, with many victims afraid to come forward due to stigma and fear of retribution.
The arrest of Uguge has been met with mixed reactions, with some people calling for him to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, while others are defending him. Some supporters of Uguge have accused the victim of lying and tarnishing his reputation, claiming that he is innocent until proven guilty. However, others have criticised this attitude, stating that victims of sexual abuse should be believed and supported until proven otherwise.
The Cross River Police Command has assured the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated and that justice will be served. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Sikiru Akande, has urged anyone with information regarding the case to come forward, adding that the police will not tolerate any form of sexual abuse or violence against women.
The Nigerian government has also taken steps to address the issue of sexual abuse, with the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015, which criminalises various forms of violence against women and provides for the punishment of offenders. In addition, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Social Development has launched campaigns to raise awareness and encourage victims to speak out.
Despite these efforts, sexual abuse remains a widespread problem in Nigeria, with many cases going unreported and offenders going unpunished. This highlights the need for continued efforts to combat this issue and ensure that justice is served for victims of sexual abuse.