Head teacher arrested for defiling 6-yr-old pupil

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have arrested the head teacher of a private school in Kuje, Abuja, for allegedly defiling a 6-year-old pupil.

The suspect, Shedrach Ozoemena, 30, hails from Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The victim’s father, who reported the matter to NAPTIP, said his daughter complained

of stomachache and he saw bloodstains on her underwear when she came back from school.

Upon enquiry, the little girl informed her parents that Ozoemena had inserted his finger into her vagina the previous week, and a week later, he had carnal knowledge of her in the classroom after school hours while they waited to be picked up by their parents.

It was gathered that some teachers in the school also informed NAPTIP that they had their suspicions about Ozoemena sexually molesting pupils in the school, but were afraid of speaking out because the suspect is a relative of the proprietress of the school, and they could lose their jobs.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, in her reaction to the arrest, condemned the alleged rape, and assured that the suspect will be prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

She cautioned school proprietors to ensure they run a background check on teachers they employ to teach the children, so as to avoid horrible incidents such as this.

She added that it was quite unfortunate that the teacher, who is meant to guide and shield a pupil, is the one who ends up molesting the child.

Okah-Donli also encouraged members of the public to be vigilant and observe any lewd act being meted towards any child, and not to hesitate in reporting such to NAPTIP for investigation.