Police arrest Edo man over sexual assault of 12-year-old apprentice

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Orji Okoro, over the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old male apprentice in the state.

Okoro was arrested on August 13, 2026, following a report that the boy was allegedly assaulted at the suspect’s residence.

The state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, disclosed this while parading Okoro alongside other suspected criminals in Benin City.

Daaor said the command received a complaint alleging that the 12-year-old apprentice had been sexually assaulted by the suspect, prompting the police to commence an investigation and arrest Okoro.

He said the suspect remained in police custody as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.

The commissioner assured that Okoro would be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

Speaking to journalists during the parade, Okoro admitted assaulting the boy and attributed his actions to alcohol consumption.

“I defiled a young boy; I was drunk when the incident happened. Alcohol pushed me to commit the crime.

“I am a family man; it was the devil that pushed me to commit the crime,” he said.

The suspect said he was arrested after the victim reported the alleged incident to his master, who subsequently informed the police.

Daaor reiterated that the command would charge the suspect to court after concluding its investigation.