Man dies after flogging for alleged rape of 10-year-old

A 47-year-old man in the Ekeowe community of southern Ijaw, Bayelsa state has died soon after he was flogged for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl.

The man identified as Emi Sigah said an accused of having ambushed and assaulted the minor in a bush while she was returning from a farm with her aunt.

The incident, which occurred on March 25, had triggered unrest in the community and prompted the deployment of security personnel.

After he was apprehended, the community leadership ordered a penalty of 120 lashes in accordance with local custom.

Each of the villages 12 families were to administer 10 lashes each to him.

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Reports suggest that during the proceedings, some residents proposed the fine option of N15,000 and N50,000 in a bid to halt the corporal punishment.

The offers were reportedly rejected by the wider community who insisted on the enforcement of the traditional penalty.

Sigah reportedly lost consciousness after receiving 40 strokes. He was transported to the community hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

News of his death sparked immediate protests as youths took to the streets. Soldiers from the Ogboinbiri base were subsequently deployed in the community to prevent an escalation.

Musa Mohammed, spokesperson of the Bayelsa police command, told newsmen that law enforcement has begun a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.

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