The police in Lagos have arrested
an Islamic cleric, Alfa Abdul-Lateef Mustapha, 38, for alleged defilement of
his wife’s nine-year-old niece.
The man was apprehended by
members of the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Somolu and handed over to the
Bariga Police Station on Sunday.
He was allegedly caught in the
act the previous day by neighbours.
It was gathered that the child
had complained to neighbours that she was being sexually molested by her aunt’s
husband, but they did not believe her. Neighbours, however, caught the man in
the act on Saturday.
The suspect, who claimed it was
the first time he slept with the minor, apologised. He was, however, challenged
by the victim, who said he had raped her more than three times.
A source, who informed our
correspondent about the incident, said the suspect’s relatives wanted to cover
up the incident, but his wife and two others quickly alerted the CPN unit in
Somolu.
“The family wanted to fight the
wife. They wanted the matter to die down. They threatened the girl and cursed
her. They attempted to attack an activist, who invited the police,” the source
said.
Confirming the incident, CPN Head
in Somolu Toyin Okanlawon said the victim had been taken to the Mirable Centre
for examination.
He said: “The relations came to
the station in hijab and jalamia, pleading that the alfa be released. As it
stands now, the victim is not safe in that house. She and her aunt slept at the
station for safety following the reaction of the suspect’s relatives.
“We have appealed to the Juvenile
Centre at Alakara, Mushin to provide shelter for the victim. She was brought
from Kano last January by her aunt so that she could be looked after properly,
but the woman’s husband has turned a predator.
“I hail the Divisional Police
Officer (DPO), Bariga because he provided food for the victim and her aunt when
he realised that they had not eaten. He also calmed the girl because she was
tearful and traumatised.”
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