A 26-year-old man, Daniel Isaac, is currently in police custody following allegations that he repeatedly defiled a teenage girl entrusted to his care in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The victim, now 14 years old, allegedly endured two years of sexual abuse after Isaac brought her from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State under the pretext of caring for his elderly mother.
According to the teenager’s account to investigators, her ordeal began when she was only 12. She claimed that after each act of defilement, Isaac would force her to ingest a white substance, which he allegedly claimed was antimalarial medication.
The Rivers State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest on Friday, stating that the case was reported to the Hawk Tactical Team after neighbours grew suspicious of Isaac’s behaviour.
Isaac, a native of Ohafia Local Government Area in Abia State but resident in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, allegedly used threats and intimidation to silence his victim.
The teenager told police that her abuser brandished knives and charms to prevent her from speaking out.
The breakthrough in the case came through the intervention of a neighbour, Joy, an Imo State indigene residing in the same compound.
She narrated how her daughter first learned of the abuse in December 2024.
“My second daughter informed me that the girl confided in her about what was happening. Initially, we thought she was his daughter, which made the situation even more disturbing,” Joy recalled.
“I carried the burden of this knowledge for weeks without proof. One day, I heard crying from their room. My daughter confronted him, and he emerged wearing only a towel.”
Joy explained that they strategically waited for Isaac’s absence before speaking privately with the victim, who revealed the full extent of her ordeal.
She added that when Isaac returned home, residents apprehended him and alerted the police.
During interrogation, Isaac confessed to the crime, admitting to having carnal knowledge of the minor on six occasions. When questioned about his awareness of the victim’s age, he acknowledged that she was underage.
“It was a mistake,” Isaac told investigators, claiming the last incident occurred in October 2025. He denied assaulting the girl on the day of his arrest and insisted he avoided contact during her menstrual periods.
Regarding the white substance, Isaac contradicted the victim’s account, claiming it was malaria medication administered after, not before, the sexual acts.
The suspect expressed remorse and counselled other men to avoid engaging in unlawful sexual activities.
CSP Iringe-Koko used the opportunity to caution parents and guardians against carelessly placing their children, particularly minors, in the homes of others without adequate safeguards.
The police have assured that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will face the full weight of the law upon completion of inquiries.