Kwara NSCDC arrests 36-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting minor
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested a 36-year-old man, AbdulGaniyu AbdulRahman, over the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Ilorin.
The suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s father at the command’s Gender Unit, alleging that his 14-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted repeatedly by the suspect.
Upon preliminary investigation, security operatives discovered that the suspect, who operates a Point-of-Sale (POS) business at Alfa Yahaya, Adeta, Ilorin, became acquainted with the victim through his business and allegedly lured her to his POS shop and an uncompleted building on several occasions, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
The investigation further revealed that the suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she disclosed the incidents to anyone, a threat which allegedly instilled fear and prevented the victim from reporting the abuse for some time.
In the victim’s testimony, she revealed that, on one of the occasions, the suspect gave her a locally prepared herbal concoction, which he instructed her to drink, a drink she said made her weak and disoriented. As part of the investigation, the victim underwent a medical examination, which revealed evidence of prior hymenal injury related to sexual activity.
Reacting, the Kwara NSCDC State Commandant, Commandant Abbas Mohammed, condemned all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation of children, describing such acts as unacceptable and a grave violation of the rights and dignity of minors. He reaffirmed the corps’ unwavering commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, stressing that anyone found culpable of offences involving minors would be made to face the full weight of the law.
The commandant also urged parents and guardians to maintain close communication with their children, observe changes in their behaviour, and promptly report suspected cases of abuse to security agencies for immediate intervention.
Assuring the public of justice, Mohammed revealed that the suspect would be charged in court upon completion of investigation.
