Police authorities in Oyo and Bauchi states have arrested two men in separate cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of minors, prompting renewed calls for vigilance and stronger community protection for children.
In Oyo State, the Police Command confirmed the arrest of a 49-year-old man, identified as Peter Adubi, over the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl.
The arrest followed a report filed on January 8, 2026, by the child’s guardian, according to a statement issued in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.
Ayanlade said the guardian became alarmed after noticing unusual behavioural changes in the girl and, upon questioning, learned that the alleged abuse occurred in 2022 while the child was living with her mother in the Molade area of the state capital.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly committed the offence during that period,” Ayanlade said. He added that medical examinations were conducted and confirmed abuse, providing evidence that led to Adubi’s arrest.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Gender Desk for further investigation, the police said.
The Oyo State Police Command urged residents to promptly report cases of sexual abuse, stressing that community cooperation is essential to protecting children and ensuring justice.
In a separate development, the Bauchi State Police Command announced the arrest of a 20-year-old man, Bilal Ya’u, for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The Bauchi Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habibu, said the case was reported on January 6, 2026, by the victim’s father, who alleged that his daughter had been lured by a neighbour into an uncompleted building and assaulted a day earlier.
Detectives were immediately deployed to the scene, and the child was taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment, Habibu said. The suspect was subsequently arrested.
Police said the suspect admitted to the allegation during interrogation and further investigations indicated that the child may have been previously abused. Habibu said the investigation remains ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the inquiry.
Both police commands reiterated their commitment to prosecuting offenders and safeguarding children, urging the public to report any suspected cases of abuse without delay.
As Dr Gloria Shajobi-Ibikule once said: “The phenomenon of rape is all over the country, being reported in all the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 Local Government Areas of the nation.”
This is an indication that, undoubtedly, rape has federal character in Nigeria! Age limit, tribe, colour, and class are irrelevant to this heinous crime. [L&SM]
