Kwara State authorities detain 36-year-old point-of-sale attendant over alleged assault of minor

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A 36-year-old Point of Sale operator has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kwara State over allegations that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl after luring her to his business premises and later to an uncompleted building in Ilorin.

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The NSCDC disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, Ayoola Shola, noting that the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Gender Unit following a complaint lodged by the victim’s father.

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According to the PRO, the father reported that his teenage daughter had been subjected to repeated sexual abuse by the suspect, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest.

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He identified the suspect as AbdulGaniyu AbdulRahman, a POS operator at Alfa Yahaya in the Adeta area of Ilorin, adding that preliminary findings indicated that he became acquainted with the victim through his business outlet before allegedly exploiting the relationship.

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Shola said investigators established that the suspect allegedly invited the teenager to his shop on several occasions before taking her to an uncompleted building, where he was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting her.

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“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect became acquainted with the victim through his POS business and allegedly exploited the relationship by repeatedly inviting her to his shop and later to an uncompleted building where he sexually assaulted her on different occasions,” the NSCDC spokesperson said.

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“The suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim should she disclose the incidents to anyone, causing her to remain silent out of fear.”

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He also noted that the victim informed investigators that during one of the encounters, the suspect allegedly gave her a locally prepared herbal mixture to drink, after which she reportedly became weak and disoriented.

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“The victim further stated that on one occasion, the suspect gave her a locally prepared herbal mixture to drink, after which she became weak and disoriented,” the PRO added.

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As part of the investigation, the teenager was taken for medical examination, with the Command saying the report indicated evidence of a previous hymenal injury associated with sexual activity.

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The Corps disclosed that the suspect would be arraigned before a competent court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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Commenting on the development, the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Mohammed, condemned the alleged abuse, reaffirming the Corps’ commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society.

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“Violence, abuse and exploitation involving children are unacceptable and constitute a serious violation of their rights, dignity and wellbeing. Anyone found culpable of offences involving minors will face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed said.

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The Commandant also urged parents and guardians to maintain close communication with their children, pay attention to behavioural changes that could indicate abuse, and promptly report suspected cases to security agencies to facilitate timely intervention.

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