Man, 70, defiles 3 minors in Niger

A 70-year-old drycleaner has been arrested by officials of the State Child Right Agency for allegedly raping three minors. The suspect, Abdullahi Umar of Tunga-Maje in Chanchaga area of Niger State is said to be living in the same area with the victims, who are between the ages of seven and nine years. The suspect, […]

A 70-year-old drycleaner has been arrested by officials of the State Child Right Agency for allegedly raping three minors.

The suspect, Abdullahi Umar of Tunga-Maje in Chanchaga area of Niger State is said to be living in the same area with the victims, who are between the ages of seven and nine years.

The suspect, according to the Director-General of the agency, Barrister Maryam Kolo, had at different times, lured his victims to his shop, abused and had carnal knowledge of them.

She said the suspect, on Monday, asked one of the victims, a seven-year-old girl who sold rice and beans near his shop to bring some to him. He was said to have forced himself on the girl. 

Later, the girl who was in pain, cried to her mother who raised alarm when she discovered that her child has been abused. The suspect is said to have narrowly escaped lynching by youths following the quick intervention of some Good Samaritans who alerted the Child Right Agency, which deployed its personnel to arrest the suspect.

Kolo said the agency was able to track the other affected girls, especially the nine-year-old who the suspect had consistently abused after convincing her to get into the abuse.

According to Kolo, some neighbours also testified that the suspect had been habouring all manner of girls, adding that his shop had become a joint where unsuspecting girls were lured and abused.

She said the suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation, adding that the case has been handed over to the police for further investigation.