A 22-year-old security guard, Bright Bassey Elijah, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command following an allegation of sexual assault involving a five-year-old pupil in Calabar.
Elijah, who was working as a security guard at a nursery and primary school, was reportedly arrested after the school’s proprietress notified the police about the incident on September 28.
According to the police report, the suspect was allegedly seen taking the young pupil to an uncompleted building close to the school premises, where the alleged incident took place.
The command’s spokesperson, Eitokpa Akata, confirmed the arrest and disclosed that the suspect is currently being held in police custody.
Akata explained that preliminary investigations are underway and that the suspect will subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
He said the police are handling the matter with particular seriousness because of the age of the alleged victim and will follow relevant investigative and child-protection procedures as provided by law.
The police spokesperson further called on parents, guardians, school authorities and members of the public to stay alert and report any suspected cases of child abuse or exploitation to law enforcement authorities without delay.