Army probes officer over alleged sexual abuse of 13-year-old

The Nigerian Army has launched an investigation into allegations that one of its officers, Captain Etim Essien, sexually abused a 13-year-old girl. According to reports, the alleged abuse took place in Jos, Plateau State, though one report also mentioned Taraba State.

The victim is reportedly deaf and non-speaking. The Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development and the National Human Rights Commission have also been involved in investigating the matter.

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that it is aware of the online reports and has started an investigation, with the aim of establishing the truth behind the allegations. The Army stated that it takes all allegations of sexual abuse, particularly those involving minors, seriously.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, This Day — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.