The suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she revealed the incidents to anyone, a threat that reportedly left the girl too frightened to report the abuse for some time
By Kehinde Emmanuel, Ilorin
The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) 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 apprehended following a complaint filed by the victim’s father at the Command’s Gender Unit, alleging that his teenage daughter had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by AbdulRahman.
According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who operates a Point-of-Sale (POS) business in the Alfa Yahaya area of Adeta, Ilorin, became acquainted with the victim through his business premises.
Investigators alleged that the suspect repeatedly lured the girl to his POS shop and an uncompleted building, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her on several occasions.
The Command further disclosed that the suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she revealed the incidents to anyone, a threat that reportedly left the girl too frightened to report the abuse for some time.
The victim also told investigators that, during one of the alleged incidents, the suspect gave her a locally prepared herbal concoction to drink. She said she became weak and disoriented shortly afterwards.
As part of the investigation, the victim underwent a medical examination, which, according to the NSCDC, indicated evidence consistent with a prior hymenal injury related to sexual activity.
The Command said the suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the incident, the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed, condemned all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation against children, describing such acts as unacceptable and a gross violation of the rights and dignity of minors.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, warning that anyone found guilty of offences involving minors would face the full weight of the law.
The Commandant also urged parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children, pay close attention to changes in their behaviour, and promptly report suspected cases of abuse to security agencies for swift intervention.