A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Delta State for allegedly raping his 10-year-old daughter and infecting her with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released, was apprehended in the Ughelli South Local Government Area following a report filed with the police by concerned individuals who became aware of the child’s deteriorating health condition.
According to preliminary investigations, the child was taken to a medical facility after showing symptoms of illness. During the medical examination, it was discovered that she had been sexually abused and had tested positive for HIV. Health workers, alarmed by the findings, immediately contacted the police, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of her father.
Delta State Police authorities confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect has been living with HIV prior to the abuse and knowingly infected the young girl. He is currently in police custody while the case is under further investigation. Police sources revealed that the man had repeatedly raped the child over a period of time while they were living together in the family residence.
The mother of the child was reportedly not residing with them at the time of the alleged assaults. She had separated from the suspect and left the daughter in his care, unaware of the danger she was exposed to. It was only after the girl fell ill and was taken to the hospital that the abuse came to light. The child later confirmed to investigators that her father had been molesting her, leading to his arrest.
Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, described the case as both shocking and deeply distressing. He emphasized that the police are working closely with child protection agencies to ensure the safety and recovery of the victim. The young girl is currently receiving medical treatment and trauma counseling with the support of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The Commissioner noted that the suspect initially denied all allegations but later made a confession during questioning. Investigators are now looking into the possibility of charging the suspect with multiple offenses, including rape, defilement of a minor, and knowingly transmitting a life-threatening infection.
Human rights organizations and child advocacy groups across Delta State have strongly condemned the incident. They have called for a thorough and expedited judicial process to ensure justice is served. Many have urged the government to increase efforts in protecting vulnerable children, especially those living in single-parent or separated family situations.
Several local organizations are also pushing for the state to introduce stricter penalties for sexual crimes involving minors, especially where the perpetrator is living with a communicable disease like HIV. There are renewed calls for public awareness campaigns to educate communities about identifying and reporting cases of child abuse.
The Delta State Police Command has assured the public that the matter is being handled with the utmost seriousness. Commissioner Abaniwonda has urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of abuse to authorities promptly. He stated that the police will not tolerate crimes against children and that justice will be pursued to its fullest extent in this case.
The suspect is expected to be formally charged in court once investigations are concluded. Authorities have expressed their commitment to ensuring that the victim receives all necessary medical and psychological support as legal proceedings move forward.
