Military officer detained for allegedly raping 18-year-old girl in Bolgatanga

A military officer is under investigation for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl at the Siim Lina Guest House in Soe, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality, on Monday, September 2, 2024.

The incident has sparked outrage in the community and raised concerns about the conduct of security personnel.

According to the victim (name withheld), the soldier arrived at the guest house around 9 a.m. and checked in. Shortly after, he began expressing romantic interest in her, which she declined.

Despite her clear refusal, the soldier continued to harass her, even following her when she stepped out of the premises to avoid him.

“He said he loves me and wants to marry me. So, I said I was not interested. He was following me, asking me questions that if somebody wants to wound me what I will do [because] no one is here. So, I told him that I would leave the fellow to God,” she narrated.

The victim recounted that a woman, whom she suspects to be the soldier’s girlfriend, later arrived at the guest house on a tricycle. However, the woman did not stay long and left the premises shortly after her arrival.

In a harrowing account, the victim described how the situation escalated after the woman left. She said the soldier allegedly threatened her with a pair of scissors, warning that he would stab her if she did not comply with his demand for sex.

Fearing for her life, the victim, who had been employed at the guest house for just four days, reluctantly gave in to his demands, and the soldier allegedly raped her. After the assault, the soldier reportedly took pictures of her with his phone.

“Immediately I picked a bucket to water trees, he held my hair and pulled me and removed scissors and said if I joke, he will wound me here. So, I was sitting down quietly but he held my hair, pulled me to the other room, and rapped me. When he finished, he snapped my pictures. I was quiet and afraid because nobody was around,” she narrated.

The victim who is traumatised by the incident wants the appropriate bodies to take action against the suspect.

The owner of the guest house, Paulina Adongo, confirmed the incident, stating that the soldier was apprehended by concerned neighbours after the victim raised an alarm.

Military officers from the Abilba Barracks were subsequently called to the scene, and they took the alleged rapist into custody.

The heinous act has left the community in shock and prompted calls for a thorough investigation.

The military is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but sources have stated that an investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and appropriate measures taken.

Source: citi newsroom