A man died after being caned for the alleged rape of a 10-year-old child

A 47-year-old man in Ekeowe community in southern Ijaw, Bayelsa state died shortly after he was caned for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl.

The man identified as Emi Sigah said a suspect had ambushed and attacked the minor in the bushes when he was returning from farming with his aunt.

The incident that occurred on March 25 sparked public unrest and prompted the deployment of security forces.

After being arrested, community leaders ordered a sentence of 120 lashes in accordance with local custom.

Each of the 12 families in the village had to give him 10 lashes each.

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Reports indicate that during the hearing, some residents proposed the option of fines of N15,000 and N50,000 in a bid to stop corporal punishment.

The offer was reportedly rejected by the wider community who insisted on traditional punishment.

Sigah reportedly lost consciousness after receiving 40 blows. He was transported to a community hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

News of his death immediately sparked protests as young people took to the streets. Soldiers from the Ogboinbiri base were then deployed to the community to prevent an escalation.

Musa Mohammed, spokesperson for the Bayelsa police command, told reporters that law enforcement had begun a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.