UDS medical student’s attacker was victim’s cousin
It has now emerged that the man who is alleged to have attacked a second-year medical student of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale is the victim’s cousin.
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The police have mounted a search for the suspect, who is on the run. A stethoscope, one of the items stolen from the victim after the attack, has been retrieved by the police.
A co-tenant, who allegedly bought it from the suspect, handed the item over to the police.
Meanwhile, the 20-year old victim, Salma Yakubu, is currently responding to treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the multiple injuries she sustained.
Last Monday afternoon, the suspect allegedly attacked the student at her residence at the SSNIT Flats in Tamale.
The Northern Regional Police Crime Officer, Alhaji Mahama Arhin, told the Daily Graphic that when the picture of the suspect, whose name has not been given for security reasons, was shown to the victim on her sick bed yesterday morning, she nodded her head.
Ms Salma is currently unable to speak or answer any questions pertaining to the assault as a result of the severity of her injuries.
Alhaji Arhin explained that the suspect, who is a nephew of the victim’s father, had lived closely with the family till now.
He said the suspect was enrolled into electrical apprenticeship by his uncle in Accra where the victim and her family resided.
The suspect was subsequently brought back home to Tamale where the uncle rented a room for him to continue his work as an electrician.
He said on the fateful Monday, January 13, 2014, the suspect went to the victim’s apartment where he allegedly demanded to have sex with her.
However, she turned down his amorous advances.
The suspect is said to have subsequently attacked her with some sharp implements, resulting in the serious injuries on her head and other parts of her body.
She was left in a pool of blood.
Later, when she gained consciousness, she descended the stairs to the ground floor where she collapsed.
Her condition attracted the attention of her neighbours who had to call in the Ambulance Service to pick her to the hospital.
According to Alhaji Arhin, further investigations were ongoing to ascertain whether the suspect acted alone or with other persons.
He, however, gave an assurance that the suspect was being pursued and “would be captured”.