Driver arrested over alleged rape of 14-year-old hawker

Vigilantes have arrested a truck driver, identified as Muazu Shehu, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old hawker at a tipper garage near Unguwar Dodo in Gwagwalada, the headquarters of the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT. A member of the vigilante group, Lazarus Haruna, said the incident occurred on Thursday around 11:12 am when the victim […]

Vigilantes have arrested a truck driver, identified as Muazu Shehu, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old hawker at a tipper garage near Unguwar Dodo in Gwagwalada, the headquarters of the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

A member of the vigilante group, Lazarus Haruna, said the incident occurred on Thursday around 11:12 am when the victim (name withheld) was lured into an apartment in the area.

He explained that the victim, who hawks locally cooked rice (Garau-Garau), was lured into the room when she went to demand payment for rice the suspect had previously bought from her.

Haruna said a neighbour, who noticed the girl being led into the room, alerted the vigilantes, who immediately mobilized to the scene.

“This was not the first time the man had tried to lure innocent girls who hawk in the area. On Thursday, nemesis caught up with him. Upon the arrival of the vigilantes, they forced the door open and found him naked,” Haruna said.

According to him, the girl was found crying and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital along with the suspect, where doctors confirmed the act.

“It was at the hospital that the girl’s parents, who came from Unguwar Dodo, insisted that the matter be reported to the police,” he said.

The vigilante member disclosed that the suspect was later handed over to the police, where he reportedly confessed and pleaded for leniency.

A police officer at the Gwagwalada Division, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect would be charged to court after investigation.

“Yes, he will be charged to court once the investigation is complete. According to reports we received, this is not the first time the man has raped innocent girls in that area. He often buys items from hawkers and asks them to return later for payment, using that opportunity to defile or rape them,” the officer said.