Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has intervened in the case of a woman allegedly assaulted, stripped naked and filmed by a crowd in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.
Through its Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC, the Ministry said it has facilitated medical, psychological and counselling support for the survivor as investigations into the September 3 incident continue.
A statement signed by Daisy Osunde, Director of Media, MWASD, said police and social welfare officials on Wednesday returned to the scene with the woman and Mr Constantine Ogbofeni, a POS operator in police custody, to identify persons captured in videos of the alleged assault.
Three persons — Ogbofeni, his sister-in-law, Kehinde Alabi, and her husband, Patrick Adams — were earlier arrested in connection with the incident.
According to police, the alleged assault followed a dispute over suspected fraudulent transactions involving an OPay account operated at the POS stand. Ogbofeni alleged the woman received money from customers for hair products which were not delivered.
The woman denied involvement in fraud, saying she trades in clothes, shoes and hair products, and alleged she was pressured to refund money before being attacked.
The Ministry said it will continue to support the survivor while working with authorities to ensure her protection. Police said investigation is ongoing.
