By Anthony Uwadiegwu

A male nurse, Austin Etim who works with the General Hospital Calabar has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a 14 year old girl inside the male ward of the hospital.

The suspect who was arrested on Monday afternoon following reports by the hospital management and intervention of the ministry of health allegedly committed the said crime at the weekend.

This Nigeria gathered that the 14 year old ( name witheld) who was said to be taking care of looking after her sick father at the hospital male ward while the mother was running out for other things was sexually assaulted by the male nurse.

According to impeccable multiple sources in the hospital familiar with the incident , the nurse used the girls scarf to tie up the girl before assaulting her .

A nurse who pleaded anonymity told This Nigeria that the incident happened on Saturday as the teenagers was taking care of the sick father was also unconscious while the mum ran around to get drugs.

“The said he got her twice before penetrating , while tying her hands with a scarf, as she lost strength while shouting the suspect over powered her and had his way.

“The next morning which was on Sunday, the girl who was crying reported the matter to the nurse on duty as well as her mum who collasped when she heard the incident.

“The furious mother immidiately called their pastor who promised to come to the hospital after church service , but suddenly , the mother of the teenager changed her mind and said she doesn’t want the matter prosecuted any longer.

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However , This Nigeria learned that the management of the hospital after severally interrogating the suspects who denied being involved in such called the police and the suspects was arrested.

When contacted , Permanent Secretary , Ministry of health , Dr Iwara Iwara said the suspect has been suspended and a also given the hospital 48 hours to medically examine the teenager for onward prosecution of the matter.

“There has to be a medical examination before we can ascertain the claims of the teenager because , so I have ordered for a medical examination and report to be carried out immidiately.

“We have also suspended the suspected nurse, while we await the medical report before any other thing can be done on the matter,” Dr Iwara said .

When contacted , the Secretary of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwife Association, NANNM in Cross River , Joe Idiege hinted that the matter has not been officially reported to the association .

Idiege however condemned the dastardly act which he described as disappointing and unfortunate .

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo said she cannot confirm the arrest of the suspect but would find out and get ba j to the correspondent.

When the reporter visited the hospital Monday evening , the incident was a subject of discussion as some doctors were overhead mocking nurses tagging them rapists and can’t be trusted with females patients in the hospital any longer.

On his part , Principal Counsel, Basic Rights Council Initiative , BCRI, James Ibor Esq lauded the hospital for it’s prompt response and the subsequent arrest of the suspect.

Ibor added that BCRI will provide support for the teenager while assuring that justice will be served as no amount of pressure will make them allow the matter to be swept under the carpet .