Police have arrested a man suspected to have attempted to defile a minor in Abia State.
The suspect, Ogbonnaya Ogbuka, a pools agent based in Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of the state, was almost lynched by a mob for allegedly trying to rape an eight-year-old daughter of a student-pastor.
The father of four, believed to be in his early 60s, was said to have lured the girl into his inner office when a neighbour who saw the girl enter, raised the alarm.
The Primary Three pupil said she came to buy kerosene in the neighbourhood when the pools agent, who is said to be separated from his wife, beckoned on her to come so he would send her on an errand.
The little girl said that immediately she came into the office the man grabbed her and dragged her into the cubicle in his office and started fondling and forcibly undressing her, tearing her dress and underpants.
She said that the man was trying to force himself on her when a neighbor came into the office and raised alarm.
Passersby soon flooded the pools office and saw the pair in compromising positions.
The timely arrival of police reportedly saved the man from being lynched by an angry mob.
The suspect was quickly whisked him away to Uzuakoli police station where he was detained.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Onyeke, confirmed the arrest of the man who was said to be paedophile.