The recent news of a man accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl and infecting her with HIV highlights the urgent need for action to protect children from sexual abuse and prevent the spread of HIV.
According to reports, the man identified as Jude Chinedu, also known as Ijiegbe, had been living with the minor and her mother as her mother’s boyfriend in their home in Alegbor Community, Uvwie LGA of Delta state, Nigeria. However, he allegedly fled the scene when it was discovered that he had been sexually assaulting the young girl.
Tragically, News About Nigeria understands that the medical tests confirmed that both the child and her mother have been infected with the HIV virus, which can cause life-long damage to their health and well-being.
The source said, “The suspect who is a married man has fled the area. The suspect is the boyfriend of the woman and had been squatting with her and her daughter. He fled the house after it was discovered that he’s been having carnal knowledge of the little girl.
“The police have mounted a manhunt for the suspect who is from Anambra State. Each time the woman who sells pap goes out for hawking, the boyfriend will bathe the little girl and have sex with her. He usually threatened to kill her if she told anyone about it.
“The mother noticed sudden changes in the child’s behaviour and a smelly discharge from her body and after several interrogations, she opened up that the suspect had raped her over and over and when the woman confronted the suspect, he ran away from the house.”
A human rights activist in the state, Kelvin Ejumudo, said the incident has been reported to the police and the suspect was also arrested but managed to escape.
This case is not an isolated incident. Child sexual abuse and HIV transmission are ongoing problems that affect vulnerable populations worldwide. The trauma of sexual abuse can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on children, and HIV can exacerbate the damage.
It is crucial to take proactive steps to protect children from sexual abuse and prevent the spread of HIV. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about who they allow to care for their children, and communities should work together to safeguard vulnerable children.
