A 50-year old man, Mohammed Abdullahi,
from Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, has admitted to sodomizing four underage boys in his neighborhood.
The victims were said to be Abdullahi’s apprentices.
Northern City News gathered that the suspect, who migrated from Kebbi State, had no wife.
The suspect allegedly induced his victims with sweets, biscuits and other snacks.
He was said to have been exposed when
one of his victims became ill and confessed to his parents the supposed
cause of his stomach pains.
A victim’s father, Shehu Musa, reported
the matter to a vigilance group which arrested the suspect and handed
him over to the police in Zungeru, but the case was subsequently taken
over by the Child’s Rights Agency.
One of the victims said Abdullahi
forcefully had carnal knowledge of him when he slept at his house,
adding that he resisted his advances and also threatened to expose him.
The Director General of the Niger State
Child’s Rights Agency, Mariam Kolo, described the case as “disturbing,
nasty and dehumanizing.”
Kolo said the agency had to take over
the investigation because it was a rape case, adding that the suspect
was still in the police custody and would be handed over to the state
Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for investigation and
prosecution.
She said it was disturbing that the
victims were afraid to tell their parents because of the fear of being
punished, cautioning parents to stop being harsh on their children.
“We need to build the confidence of the
children so that they can tell their parents anything or any challenge
they are facing at any time.
“It is unfortunate and sad that a child
can face this sort of situation and cannot tell his parents. Parents
should stop being harsh on their children. You can be strict and
friendly at the same time,” Kolo stated.
The DG said the children were undergoing
medical treatment to ascertain their status as most of them had been
complaining of stomach ache and passing out worms.
She added, “We are awaiting the outcome
of the medical report and they will undergo counseling. We need to let
them know that what is being done to them is totally wrong and should
not continue.”
She reiterated the determination of the agency to tackle all forms of child abuse and to prosecute the perpetrators.
No comments: