13-Year-Old Deaf Girl Allegedly !mpregnated: Nigerian Army Moves Against Serving Captain Amid Investigation
13-Year-Old Deaf Girl Allegedly Impregnated: Nigerian Army Moves Against Serving Captain Amid Investigation
The Nigerian Army has commenced an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving Captain Etim Essien, a serving officer currently attached to Headquarters 3 Division, Jos, after reports emerged accusing him of sexually abusing and impregnating a 13-year-old deaf and non-speaking girl in Taraba State.
The Army confirmed on Friday that it was aware of reports circulating online concerning the allegation and said appropriate steps had been initiated to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the case.
The allegation has also attracted the attention of the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Taraba State chapter, and other relevant authorities.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the girl was allegedly living under the care of Captain Essien and his wife, Blessing Essien, who is reportedly the minor’s older step-sister.
Sources cited in the report alleged that the girl was initially taken into the couple’s care with the intention of ensuring that she attended school, but that circumstances surrounding her stay later became the subject of investigation following allegations that Captain Essien had sexual relations with her, resulting in pregnancy.
The allegations have drawn particular concern because the girl was reportedly 13 years old, deaf and non-speaking at the time of the alleged abuse.
SaharaReporters also reported that Blessing Essien had been arrested, arraigned before a Magistrate Court and remanded at a correctional facility in Jalingo, where she is reportedly currently staying with the baby.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development in Taraba State, Mrs Mary Sinjen, reportedly confirmed that the baby remains with Blessing Essien in custody because she is breastfeeding the child.
The commissioner said the minor is currently staying with her parents while……
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Credit X| Tarakirivoice.
