Authorities in Niger State have apprehended nine individuals suspected of committing acts of rape and sexual assault against young girls between the ages of 3 and 13.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson, made this announcement in a statement issued on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
As per the police report, three victims, all aged three, were sexually assaulted in the regions of Mokwa and Minna.
The suspects, arrested throughout February, include Lawal Abubakar, 30, of Dutsen-Kura; Mohammed Umar, 18, of Mokwa; Emmanuel Patrick, 15, of Chanchaga; Julius Nyikwa, 59, of Keteren-Gwari; Lawal Gimba, 20, of Barkin-Sale; Badamasi Abdullahi, 19, of F/Layout; Usman Haruna Musa, 22, of D/Kura; Jafar Mohammed, 40, of K/gora; Emmanuel Ikechukwu, 19, of K/gora; and Usman Abubakar, 50, also of K/gora.
An attempted rape incident involving Lawal Abubakar took place on February 1, 2026, around 3 PM, when he allegedly tried to assault a six-year-old girl in his home in the GRA area of Minna. The girl's father interrupted the act, leading to Abubakar's arrest, after which he was taken to the SCID Minna for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.
On February 10, at approximately 2 PM, a report from Mokwa indicated that Mohammed Umar lured a three-year-old girl to an uncompleted building where he was accused of raping her. The suspect was arrested, and the victim received medical care at Mokwa General Hospital before Umar was transferred to SCID.
Another case surfaced on February 13 at around 8:30 PM, involving Emmanuel Patrick, who sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl in Chanchaga. He, too, was arrested and sent to SCID Minna.
On February 16, at about 2 PM, a case was reported involving a 59-year-old blind man, Julius Nyikwa, who allegedly raped a ten-year-old girl in his apartment. Investigations revealed familial ties between the suspect and the victim, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, leading to Nyikwa's arrest.
Later that same day, another report emerged accusing Lawal Gimba of sexually assaulting a twelve-year-old girl in his residence in Barkin-Sale. He was arrested after evidence showed he had forced himself on the victim.
On February 19, at around 10 AM, Badamasi Abdullahi was accused of attempting to rape a thirteen-year-old girl in F-Layout. He was also arrested and confessed to previous sexual acts with the girl.
On the same day, Usman Haruna Musa was charged with the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl after her mother discovered her distressed condition and questioned her.
Earlier, on February 11, the police arrested Jafar Mohammed for attempting to sexually assault three girls aged 6 to 7 in an uncompleted building.
On February 23, Emeka Ikechukwu faced accusations of sexually assaulting two girls aged five and four in Kontangora, and he has since confessed during questioning.
CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman of the Niger State Police Command has voiced his strong disapproval of these sexual offenses, pledging a comprehensive investigation and encouraging guardians to be vigilant in protecting their children from such crimes.
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