A 70-year-old man has been arrested by the Adamawa State police command for allegedly raping two minors aged four and seven years old in Jimeta, Yola North local government area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Usman Ibrahim, was said to have lured the two victims into his room and had unlawful carnal knowledge of them while on their way to a lesson class. The father of the victims reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Jimeta, after observing stains of blood and unusual pains from the children while urinating.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who is a father of three, has been living alone since he separated from his wife about ten years ago. The commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, expressed concern over the incident and directed the officer in charge of the Family Support Unit of the state CID to take over the investigation and ensure diligent prosecution.
The incidence of rape and defilement has been on the rise in Nigeria, with many cases going unreported due to stigmatization and fear of reprisals. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), over 1,000 cases of rape and defilement were reported in Nigeria between January and May 2020.
It is essential to take swift action against perpetrators of rape and defilement to serve as a deterrent to others and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly minors. The government and stakeholders should prioritize the enforcement of laws and policies that protect individuals from sexual abuse and exploitation.