The police in Benue State have apprehended a Cameroonian refugee, Ate Louis, camped in Kwande Local Government Area of the state for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in the camp.
Louis, 20, however in an interview with newsmen at the police headquarters in Makurdi denied the allegation as he claimed to have only kissed the girl and never had carnal knowledge of her.
The suspect, who is a secondary school dropout, further explained that both of them were in love and had kissed because they wanted to get married someday.
He claimed not to have known she was 12 until he was brought to the police station after the incidence of kissing her, adding that they were planning to get married in the future as the motorcycle he used to fend for himself had been taken away from him.
Louis added that he became a refugee following the crisis that broke out in parts of his country which made him flee to Nigeria, adding that the girl he was alleged to have slept with was also a Cameroonian.
Spokesperson of the Benue police command, DSP Catherine Anene, while noting that the command will ensure diligent prosecution of the suspect, urged young girls and parents in similar situations to speak up so as to deter sexual violators.
Anene noted that before, it was difficult for victims of rape and their parents to speak up but emphasised the need for victims of rape and their families to approach the police.
